10/08/2017 EastEnders

You all right, mate?

Did you get any kip?

TEXT MESSAGE ALERT

I'll give you a bit of space, yeah?

All right, mate.

Where's Johnny?

Johnny! Johnny?

I've missed your foghorn in the morning.

I need you to work today. I'll deal with Fi.

I can't. I'm still drunk.

You'd better get mainlining the coffee, then.

-Well, where's Mick?

-Busy.

Busy?

What time you getting back later?

Depends how long my meetings run.

And I've got to pop into the Vic - see how Linda's settling back.

Why, thinking of making dinner, baby?

-Maybe, yeah.

-Careful.

How long we gotta keep us a secret?

For as long as Carmel's useful.

We need to find out who's voting against us at the council.

Think you can manage that, lover boy?

We're calling it a "staycation" - it's a Walford Council thingy,

according to Denise - getting people to camp in their local parks.

Be nice. I mean, I know it's not exactly Disneyland,

but Billy's agreed to buy us a proper tent and everything.

As you can imagine, the kids... they are beside themselves.

Janet's already packed her bag. And her doll's bag.

It's so cute.

Well, it goes to show, doesn't it?

All they really want is to spend some time with their family.

Yeah... Why don't you come?

No... No, it's your family time...

No, no, you must - it'll be fun.

Surely Jack can't say no to a trip to the local park.

Are we going camping?

No, Amy, no... I was just talking to Honey...

Oh, please.

Can we get marshmallows?

Of course you can. It's compulsory.

He won't want to. I know it.

Well, you're going to have to persuade him, aren't you?

-See you later!

-Bye, Honey!

-See you.

Bye.

Cora! Long time no see.

You're looking really well!

Are these for Lauren?

Isn't it lovely news?

Lovely.

There you are. Cheese toastie.

Tuna and cheese?

Yeah, I'm really sorry.

I, like, opened the can and I couldn't face it.

And that's my problem how, exactly?

Has someone got a hangover?

Oh... Unless you want me to puke all over you, I'd back off.

-How you doing, all right?

-Oh, hello. ..It's fine, Teen.

Cup of tea to take away, please.

-Did you get my message?

-Message?

Yeah, I sent you a text.

Did you?

Yeah, we could go for a drink tonight.

I'm teasing you.

Playing hard to get.

Bet you're wondering why I haven't replied.

No, not really, it was only half an hour ago.

You see - I'm rubbish at playing games.

And I don't want to any more.

I think we should come clean.

I like it dirty.

I'm serious.

-I know we said we'd keep it quiet, but that was weeks ago.

-Cheers.

Look, I'm meeting Denise in the Vic later tonight.

Why don't you join us?

I know you've changed, Max,

but it's hard to shake the feeling that you might be...

What?

Playing games.

Look, Carmel, it's the opposite.

I'm just trying to protect what we have - I want to nurture it.

I just want to know it's strong enough that we can survive anything.

Anything?

You do understand, don't you?

Yeah...

Although I guess it means I won't be able to see you tonight.

No, I can still come along.

You know, Denise don't have to know that you invited me.

I'll be distracted.

So?

You are terrible.

So, is that a yes?

DOORBELL RINGS

Nan! What are you doing here?

Come on... Let me see.

Very nice. Congratulations.

-Lose my number, did you?

-No... Sorry, I just...

-I didn't deliberately...

-What? Didn't deliberately what?

Cora? What... Have you told her?

No, Abi did. Why, is it a secret?

No. No... Why would I keep it a secret?

I'm the proudest man alive.

No, it's just we said we wanted to tell people in person, so...

Well, you know, it's great you're here,

cos it saves us a trip, don't it?

All right, well... have a seat, yeah?

I'll make us all a cup of tea.

Jack? Oh, terrific.

What's wrong with Jack coming?

Well, he's going to be all macho, ain't he?

Opening bottles with his teeth,

lighting fires with his chest hair...

He's no more of a man than you, Billy.

Obviously. I mean, I know that and you know that - that's the point...

And there's not going to be any fires, I'm telling you.

-Early finish?

-Oh, Billy's a partner now.

Yeah, yeah, not too much on, so I can close up when I want.

-Have one yourself.

-Ah, that's very kind. Thanks, Billy.

How's your mum?

Yeah, yeah... She's a lot better thanks, Honey.

Bet Mick's glad to have you back. He's been lost without you.

Yeah.

HE SIGHS DEEPLY

-Right, that's it.

-What?

Well, I can't work with you huffing and puffing over there, can I?

-Sorry, I'll do the slip soon.

-No, no, no, come on.

-Hi, Dad!

-All right. I need a break.

Come on, let's go and get some fresh air.

-Hi, Dad, love you, bye.

-You all right?

-Hey.

-Hey.

You going out?

What, is there a problem?

No, I just... I saw Honey earlier and she mentioned

something about a camping trip in the park - she wondered if...

You want to go camping with Honey, yeah?

Oh, no, not just me. The kids as well...

-Oh, right...

-And you. And Billy.

-Me? And Billy?

-Yeah. Yeah. All of us.

Yeah, right, Ingrid, I'd rather chew my right arm off than go

camping with Billy Mitchell.

Thank you. Come on.

What?

Nothing.

Have you heard from Mick at all?

No. Why, should I?

No, thank you. No, it's a pleasure.

Great, speak soon. Thanks, bye.

How come you're working?

-Mick's off sick.

-And Whitney?

Mum, where are Ollie's spare clothes? He's had an accident.

-In the suitcase.

-Linda?

She quit, OK?

Whitney quit? Why?

Well, I don't know, do I?

Woody probably didn't want her working in her ex-husband's family pub.

Look, why don't I give Stacey a ring, see if she can come in early?

PHONE RINGS

-FAINT:

-Linda?

What, now?

Well, it's not really convenient...

Oh... All right, all right.

I'll see you in a minute.

That was Linda on the phone. She wants me to go in early.

You didn't tell her I was here, did you?

No. I said I wouldn't, didn't I?

Thanks.

Are you going to tell me what's happened?

I don't want to talk about it now.

OK.

But I need you to look after Lily and Arthur for me,

just until Martin gets home.

-Yeah. Course.

-Thanks, Whit.

You can't hide in here forever, you know.

What's the hurry? You're not pregnant, are you?

No... We just... We want to do something low key.

Something...

Special.

-And you're living here?

-Yeah, for the time being.

-You got plans to move out?

-We want to live in the moment.

Yeah, there's no point planning everything.

What about your job?

-I quit.

-You quit? Why?

-Bored.

-Bored! I thought you was enjoying it.

I thought it was going to lead somewhere?

Yeah, I know, Nan. The boss...

He was all talk.

Plus, you know, you wanted to spend more time at home with Louie, didn't you?

Exactly. Yeah, they just grow up so quickly.

Where is he, then? My great-grandchild?

Well, he's at a play date right now.

Maybe we should go somewhere else, for a bit - you know, change of scenery. Yeah?

GIGGLING

Is that a girls' night, or can anyone join?

Actually, yeah, we were just...

It's fine. Sit down.

No, you were just what?

Don't matter.

How's the new job?

It's fine.

Well, commute's a bit of a nightmare cos of the flaming roadworks,

but at least I'm using my brain when I get there!

Yeah... You got plenty to get your teeth into?

Yeah, everyone's wondering who this leak was

and there's a lot of talk about this housing proposal.

Oh, yeah, like what?

Well, I'd tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

Nan! Ah, you made it.

Brilliant. So nice that you get to celebrate with the happy couple.

-You joining us?

-Yeah, I'd love to.

Could you just give me a hand with the drinks, Abs?

-You're looking well, Denise.

-Thank you, Cora.

This isn't funny, you know.

You and Abi got over that little spat you had on her birthday?

Oh, yeah, yeah. That was nothing.

Drunken antics. You know what she's like.

Fighting over your boss, weren't you?

-No!

-Was he the real reason you quit your job?

No, Nan. Don't be silly.

I just spoke to Shirley - Whitney wouldn't have just quit.

-You must have sacked her.

-Not now.

Why? Why? Is it because of Woody?

Your son drove her to the edge.

Don't you think she deserves just a little bit of happiness?

Well, you can't expect her to be part of the Carter clan

for the rest of her life.

It ain't like she cheated on him, is it?

No, but she did try it on with my husband.

-There you go.

-Trace, you... You keep hold of that.

-Have whatever you want, all right?

-Ta, Mick.

So, who d'you reckon's going to win the league this year?

Mick.

What?

You ain't done anything silly, have you?

Well, I'm not really a betting man, am I? Just...

Whitney.

What makes you say that?

Come on. Last week, she comes back and suddenly you get plastered

and you're attacking her fella.

Weren't really attacking him... I was being protective.

All right, well, how come Linda's just come back

and now all of a sudden you're on my couch, five o'clock in the morning?

I'm not proud of myself.

Oh, mate, you haven't, have you?

-What? No, no.

-Look, she's a pretty girl - I get it.

But I thought you'd be cleverer than that and keep it in your pants.

-No! No, no, it ain't that.

-Oh, yeah...

It ain't that.

Linda's the only woman I've ever been with.

And that's the thing.

Cos I wish it was that simple.

Please, don't.

Look, Linda,

you got to understand that Mick's been under an awful

lot of pressure lately.

And sometimes he's not been up to it, but...

but he's still here, isn't he?

You gotta give him some credit for that.

Do I? Do I really, Shirley?

I'm sorry, but I haven't been off sunning myself these last few months.

Do you think I wanted to be away from my family?

Do you think I wanted everything to change?

To come back and find my pub unrecognisable with some

jumped-up corporate tart behind the bar, and my husband...

You know, don't you?

This little love story that's been playing out...

-Love story? It's not like that.

-Ain't it?

Linda, you gotta stop letting your imagination run away with you.

I'm not! He said it!

Mick said those words! He loves her.

-Well, it ain't true.

-Then where is he? Where is he?!

I've only ever been away from Linda for, like, a couple of days.

Like, ever.

So when she was gone... weird. It was like, odd.

And then there's Whitney.

And she's showing like so much courage after Lee - and I just...

I felt like, you know...

I... I owed her.

Like I just wanted to... Well, look after her.

Wanted to make sure she was all right.

Like any decent bloke.

And then we sort of acted like we were a couple.

You know, like I'd have a bad day...

and she'd be there,

she'd defend me,

she'd give me a look -

be like a little boost, you know?

I'd do the same for her and then I'd...

I'd go to bed and I'd be thinking about her and I'd wake up

and I'd look forward to seeing her.

I just like, you know, she just... she just...she just got in here.

And it's hard to shift it.

So what're you saying? I mean, what about Linda?

I know, I know.

It makes me feel sick to even talk like this.

Well, do you still love her?

Course I love her. I mean, she's...

She's a part of me.

You know. I was weak...

Well, then this is a blip, isn't it? Hey? It'll pass.

You should have seen the way she looked at me.

I don't think she's ever going to take me back.

You don't throw away a marriage like yours in a night.

All right, she's just... She's upset. All right, she's in shock.

You go round there, fight for her,

I'm sure she'd have you back in a heartbeat.

What's the problem?

-Oi. You're not thinking of...

-No. No.

You know, cos Linda, she's the real deal.

All right? And when you find one like that, you hold on to it.

Trust me.

-Has Lauren told you about her wedding dress?

-Nothing.

Well, Joyce is making it. You ain't met her...

Oh, well, you'd better hurry up! The wedding's only in a month.

,So am I invited?

Yeah, course you are, Nan. We just...

We haven't sent anything out yet.

Very casual, aren't they?

I know. Let's play...

"Let's guess Carmel's secret boyfriend."

Carmel's got a boyfriend, has she?

Come as a surprise, does it?

I must have missed my chance.

Who is it? Someone at the council?

Oh, no... Not what's-his-face?

-Oh, shut up.

-Who's that? No, go on, who's that?

It's... Clive something.

He is not my boyfriend!

And you won't be my friend any more if you keep banging on about it...

Wyrrel!

Clive Wyrrel! So what's the matter with Clive Wyrrel?

Well, he's got halitosis. And he's a pompous idiot.

-I quite like him.

-Yeah, well, it's only

because he's voting against all the new development plans.

Yeah, OK! Enough work talk.

So what's wrong with this new bloke, then?

Are you ashamed of him, or... What - is he a bit...

No. He's got a lovely body.

Oh, he's boring, then.

He's anything but.

He must be bad in bed?

Ditto.

Lucky you.

Ooh!

The truth is, this man is...

Well, I think this man is rather special and you'll meet him

when we're ready.

But until then, I'd rather keep him to myself...

..if that's OK?

Of course that's OK, Carm. I'm sorry for prying.

And I can see that he makes you happy,

so that's all that really matters. Really. Yeah?

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Well?

Did you get the name?

Yeah.

Just make it quick.

Stolen kisses.

Running in and out of each other's bedrooms in the middle of the night.

-They haven't slept together.

-Not in front of his mum, no.

I believe him.

You want to blame anyone, blame her.

Look, Mick has been overworked, overstressed and really confused.

-He ain't the only one.

-Meaning?

Look, if he's so innocent, why's he gone silent on me?

Probably scared you're going to throttle him.

-What if he's gone off with her?

-Oh, come on.

No, no, no it makes sense.

All right, she turns up, flashes her engagement ring - she must've known

how he'd react. I mean, he's got to act fast or he's going to lose her...

No way, Mick's not like that. I wouldn't put it past her, though.

And then what do I do? I've played right into their hands - I throw them both out,

give them the perfect opportunity to fall into each other's arms, two star-crossed lovers.

-Stop it.

-They're probably on a flight somewhere as we speak...

-Linda! Stop it!

Look, the reason that Mick confessed to you wasn't to clear the way.

He confessed to you cos in his head,

he knew he was doing the right thing.

He just wants everything back to normal, and do you know why?

Because he loves you.

Does he?

Better get off...

I'll... I'll see you over there, yeah?

All right, mate.

Well, look, I'll say goodbye now,

cos I'm going to run to the little boys' room.

Look, I know it's a bit rushed, but I love Lauren very, very much

and I'm going to do everything I can to make her happy.

I don't doubt it.

Right, I'll see you, Abs.

Lovely to see you, brother-in-law!

-Bye.

-See you.

Just don't tell her - OK?

Right... Well, I'd better head off, then, too.

I'll see you later, Nan.

See you later, darling.

WHISPERING: Keep your voice down. Shush!

GIGGLES

She likes me.

-Carmel.

-So?

Well, it's just getting a bit messy, that's all.

Do you like her back?

Do me a favour.

Babe, please, we've got what we wanted.

It's cruel, innit, you know, to keep toying with her.

I thought you had more backbone.

Oh, here you are. We thought we'd lost you.

Right, it's my round - what do you fancy?

Hang on a minute, Denise.

It's just what you said earlier.

It meant a lot to me, and...

I think it's probably the right time.

-Really?

-What?

Right, I can't deal with that right now.

Good luck, darling. Whoever you are.

Don't listen to her - it's just the ex-mother-in-law.

You would tell me, wouldn't you, if there was something wrong?

I'm happy, Nan. Honest.

You don't seem yourself.

How d'you mean?

When...

When two people are right for each other, you sense it, don't you?

It... It's like a light is pouring out of them both.

You and Peter.

Mum and Dad, even - more's the pity.

But you and Steven, I don't see it.

Shall I tell you what I do see?

Fear.

He controls you, Lauren. It was him, wasn't it?

Who made you quit your job?

It's complicated.

It shouldn't be. Whatever it is, you need some time away, alone.

-I can't.

-Go and see your mum.

Mum?

You're not even talking to her.

Doesn't mean you can't talk to her.

You need to get some perspective.

Phone your mum and arrange it.

Or I will.

Good. Good.

You'll make the right decision - I know you will.

I've heard everything you've had to say, Shirley,

but I don't want him to stay out of duty.

He won't. He'll stay because he wants to. I know that boy.

Look, drink that.

Get on your phone and tell him to get back here now.

There's no need.

-You came?

-Course I came.

I would've been here sooner - it's just, I thought

I was in the doghouse.

You are.

But I want you in my doghouse.

,So I can come home?

Did you mean what you said?

About her? Cos if you did, I don't know if I can forgive you...

Of course I didn't. I was being ridiculous.

Are you sure?

All I want is here.

Do you promise you'll never see her again?

I promise.