10/11/2017 EastEnders

You're up early. Busy day?

Yeah, something like that.

How about I make you some toast?

Nah, you're all right. Not hungry, thanks.

You know I don't like you taking them pills on an empty stomach.

So where's it you're going?

Just going to go and visit an old acquaintance, that's all.

Fancy some company?

No, thanks. No, no.

-This is something I want to do on my own.

-OK.

I've woken up to worse, I suppose.

You know you've made me late for work again, don't you?

Are you complaining?

Didn't say that.

Luke, try not to make it obvious when you leave.

Worried your dad'll see?

I just don't want to rub it in his face, that's all.

I can handle your old man.

A couple of months from now, I'll be like one of the family.

Oh! Planning on sticking around, are you?

Till a better offer comes along.

-Any sign of your brother?

-No, his phone's switched off.

What's the betting he's with that bit of rent he picked up?

Is there anything I can help you with?

I'd sooner wait for your brother.

Have I done something wrong?

Cos I'm just as much a part of this as Luke.

I thought I told you to keep on the right side of the Carters.

If, by some miracle, they manage to raise the money for that

dilapidations bill, we're in trouble.

There's no way they'll be able to raise the cash.

We'll never know now, will we?

Because, thanks to you, we no longer have eyes on the pub.

I'll sort it.

And what about Max?

-I can manage without him.

-He knows too much.

-You either put this right...

-Or what?

Or I might have to ask your brother to take over your duties.

So I'm a liability now?

Luke told me you went to see Kathy the other night.

That has nothing to do with you.

Seems I'm not the only one playing with fire, Dad.

Ian, come on, it's ready!

What's all this?

Oh. Can't a mum spoil her boy once in a while?

And I thought that, when you've finished this, yeah,

perhaps we could go up to the West End, you know,

maybe do a bit of early Christmas shopping.

It's November.

Yeah, but have you seen the list that Lauren has given us for Louie?

I mean, what is an Octonaut anyway? Some sort of puzzle?

-I know what you're doing.

-And then there's Peter, isn't there?

I mean, you know what the post is like to New Zealand.

Come here, all right? We talked about this yesterday, didn't we?

He's not going to come near you again.

It's just...every time I think about going out there...

That's... Look, I'll come with you, then.

No. No, because then he's won, hasn't he?

And I will not give him the satisfaction.

But if he does come back...

He won't.

How do you know?

Trust me.

It's over.

DOOR OPENS

Problem?

Yeah, I think it's a dodgy sensor.

Can't help you there, I'm afraid.

I think Ben was a bit worried about me staying over.

It's none of my business, is it?

That's what I said.

-Phil, you're a boxing fan, aren't you?

-Yeah.

Got a mate who's an up-and-coming middleweight.

I could sort you and Sharon out with a couple of tickets, if you like.

Yeah, yeah, it sounds good.

Leave it with me.

Here.

How's about I do us bangers and mash as a special birthday dinner, eh?

Look, I know me and your mum have been a bit distracted with Janet being at the hospital,

but we're going to get you your present this weekend.

-And guess what?

-What?

You can have anything you want.

-Anything?

-Anything.

I want a dog.

A dog? Where's that come from?

It's not for me. It's for Janet.

Since when did Janet like dogs?

Since forever. Why do you think she's always drawing them?

Ha!

Thing is, boy, we can't really have a dog in the flat.

Why bother asking if you ain't going to keep your promises?

Hey! Will!

-Whoa!

-What's wrong? Can't a man fix his motor in peace these days?

I'm just wondering when Phil Mitchell took up the gentlemen's game.

-Morning.

-Yeah.

You're up late.

Hm. Didn't see the point in setting an alarm.

You heard from your boss?

SHE SIGHS

-I doubt I'll hear from him until he's ready to sack me.

-Nah.

It's not going to come to that.

Won't it?

Fi, I need to see you.

You know, I used to keep a bat in my car when I was a kid.

Yeah?

Fed pulled me over one night, popped the boot and he said,

"I'll let you keep that if you can name three baseball players."

From that day on, I was a cricket man.

Right, look, let me guess.

You've come out of retirement,

but the missus is keeping tabs on the bat you keep underneath the bed.

Talking of retirement,

how's the police grass pension working out for you?

Lara, Warne, Flintoff.

You know, just in case they fancy pulling over an old white man...

for a change.

Phil's out and about earlier than usual.

Yeah, he was seeing an old acquaintance, apparently.

Phil isn't exactly blessed in the friends department.

Something dodgy, is it?

I'd rather not get involved.

Anyway, I thought you'd have treated yourself to more of a lie-in.

It was quite a dinner party last night, weren't it?

Yeah, another chapter in The Disastrous Dating Life Of Michelle Fowler.

Have you heard anything from Tom?

Nothing. I've just been online. He's deleted all his profiles.

-So that's it, is it?

-Yep, it's like he never existed.

Well, I'd check under your bed, just in case.

I'm joking.

Well, that's it for me. I'm officially a reformed spinster.

-Oh, don't say that!

-Well, it's true.

I might as well move in with Dot and have done with it.

Or maybe you and Karen Taylor should go out on the pull.

Oh, I don't think so. I've seen what she's like after a glass.

-I wouldn't want to see her after a bottle.

-SHARON CHUCKLES

Look, I keep saying this -

your Prince Charming is out there somewhere. I know it.

Yeah, well, if he is...

..he's doing a good job of hiding from me.

If you are worried, Sharon, why don't you just be straight with him,

-ask him what he's up to?

-Confront him?

If something doesn't feel right, then it's probably not.

Look, Michelle, I know him better than you.

If Phil doesn't want you involved, you don't get involved.

Is there anyone he might have talked to?

Maybe it's your turn to play detective today.

Yeah, maybe.

Well, get to the bottom of it, Sharon, cos,

when it goes wrong, you'll be the one left picking up the pieces.

No. Phil is smarter than that these days.

He's promised me that, from now on, his hands are clean.

Yeah, well, if I've learnt anything from Tom, it's never to trust a word blokes say.

So, if I were you, I'd trust your gut.

What are you doing?

Making a Welcome Home card for Janet.

What, and that's it?

Poor kid's been in hospital for a week, and all she gets is a poxy card?

Well, what do you suggest?

Why don't you go over to Stratford and get her a nice present?

Are you sure?

Yeah. She's a good kid, she deserves it.

Thanks, Shirl.

Where's Janet?

Oh, the nurse has taken her for a wash.

-She's still coming home today, though, yeah?

-Yeah, yeah.

Just got to wait for the doctor to give us the all-clear.

How was the birthday boy?

Yeah. Did you know that Janet wanted a dog?

SHE LAUGHS

Yeah, it's been on her Christmas list ever since I can remember.

Shows how much I know, doesn't it?

Oh, um, I had another text from Tina earlier.

-Did you?

-Yeah, bless her.

You know, we should invite her round for tea one night,

thank her for everything she's done for Janet.

Listen, um...I've got to go.

-Why? You've only just got here.

-Janet wants a dog, right?

Yeah, and she also understands that she can't have one until we're in a bigger place.

No, no, no. I've let down that little girl too many times already.

If it's a dog she wants, a dog she's going to get.

All right?

I'm pleased you called.

Well, you're happy now, are you?

Why, what do you mean?

Well, Carmel. You know, she might lose her job cos of you.

It was never my intention to get Carmel into trouble.

So, what is she? Just collateral damage?

You're the one that jumped into bed with her every five minutes!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. And you're right.

She should never have got caught up in all this.

Fi, I've just had enough, all right?

I've had enough of everything - you, your family, your dad.

Well, that makes two of us.

It doesn't matter what I do, it's never enough for him.

You know, sometimes, it feels like he wants to take away everything that's good in my life.

And I'm not going to let that happen to us.

You want a lift to the Battersea Dogs Home?

Yeah. Well, where else am I going to get a dog at short notice?

-Do you even know what sort she wants?

-I've got one of her colouring books here.

By the looks of it, she ain't picky. Four legs and a nose - that'll do.

I don't think you can just pick one like you're going to the supermarket.

-There's got to be checks and that.

-All right, well, go to the pet shop, then.

-Pet shops don't sell 'em any more.

-Are you going to help me or not?

Bill, I can't just magic a dog out of thin air! Besides, we've got customers in here any time.

-This is important!

-So is keeping this place open.

Fat lot of good you are!

Bill!

If I can exonerate her, I will.

I've been a cow, Max.

I've had my eyes fixed so firmly on the goal that I lost sight of what was important.

And what is that?

You.

All that stuff I said to Dad about us being a fling,

you know that I didn't meant it, don't you?

It's just complicated with him.

I need you, Max.

I'm not going anywhere, am I?

Sometimes, I think you're the best thing that came out of all this.

Listen, you just have to start being a bit honest, that's all.

Yeah, I know. No more games, I promise.

I'll just stick to the job in hand.

And when it's all over, we can get the hell out of here.

And go where?

I don't care, as long as I'm with you.

So are you with me?

Yeah, I'm still here, ain't I?

So how long am I supposed to wait here, eh?

You don't say much, do you?

Look, I just want to borrow Lady Di for a couple of nights, that's all.

She ain't that good with strangers, Bill. She likes her home comforts.

Right, right. So you're going to deprive a sick little girl of a dog, are you?

That's out of order, that is.

Come on, mate. Look, we could do, like, a time-share thing. Have her half a week each.

She's not a time-share, is she? She's a dog. She's got feelings.

Anyway, you want one of them dogs that do things.

Catches balls and all that game. She's lazy.

All right, just let me borrow her, then, for a quick visit.

-You can't take her up the hospital. There'll be murders!

-I'll be a couple of hours, tops!

You walk in with her, them nurses'll have a stroke. Honestly, she's a right slobber merchant.

-Right, so you're not going to help?

-Help with what?

Janet, she wants to borrow Lady Di.

-Well, she's out with Shirley, ain't she?

-Do you know what? Just forget it.

Forget I asked!

-Well, she's welcome to come over and walk her any time she likes.

-I've said all this.

No, no! You see, that is no use. I need her now!

-Are you all right, Billy?

-How hard is it to find a dog? Eh?

I mean, it ain't like there's a shortage out there, is it?

-Judging by the muck on the pavement.

-Do you want me to call Honey?

-No, I just want a poxy dog!

It ain't like I'm asking for the Crown Jewels.

Well, Karen Taylor's got Bronson.

I bet she'd be glad of a few hours away from all that barking.

Thank you. Thank you.

See? Thank you, Ted. That's all I wanted.

See you later.

Now I just need to get the Carters back on side.

It can't be that hard.

They threw me out of the pub.

So this dilapidations bill.

You think they'll be able to get the money on time?

No, there's no chance.

Well, why don't you just knock ten grand off?

You know, and then they'll think you're doing them a favour.

Someone could have seen you do that!

So?

KNOCKING

I'm not in!

Right. I've just come to see how Kathy is.

Michelle said she weren't feeling too good.

Yeah, she's, er... She's better now.

How's 'Chelle?

Foolish, and lucky to be alive, if you ask me.

Yeah, well, typical 'Chelle.

I don't suppose you've got time for a cup of tea, have you?

I'm at a bit of a loose end now Phil's out for the day.

Did he say where he was going?

Well, something about looking up an old acquaintance.

What's the betting it's some old lag he used to knock about with?

It's just there was something different about him this morning.

How do you mean?

He just seemed a bit on edge.

Yeah, Phil can look after himself, can't he?

That's what I'm worried about.

CLOCK CHIMES

Right, that's it. I'm done.

Now, you either go and get your gaffer now, or I'll go and find him myself.

DOOR OPENS

Phil.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Please, sit down.

Maybe I should phone him.

No, you can't.

Well, if he thinks you're checking up on him, it'll all kick off, won't it?

Has he said something to you?

No, why would he do that?

I know when you're hiding something, Ian.

Do you know your problem?

-You've got too much time on your hands.

-Oh, is that right?

Yes. You need to take up a hobby or something. You know, evening classes.

You still haven't answered my question.

Why would your husband confide in me?

Clutching at straws, aren't I?

Yep.

It's just, for the first time in ages, we're finally in a good place.

Ben's got a boyfriend, Lou's doing well at school.

Look, stop trying to find problems where there aren't any, OK?

Phil knows exactly what he's doing.

You want to lend my dog?

Yeah, look, I know it sounds daft, but look at this, look.

She's got three books like this, all full of dogs,

all the different makes. See that one?

-That is meant to be your Bronson.

-SHE CHUCKLES

-That other one, well, I think that's Mick and Linda's.

-Aw!

See, she must have seen them about. She's really observant, you know?

Yeah, you can see that.

It turns out she's been wanting a dog for years.

How could I not know that, eh?

I've been too wrapped up in myself to bother to ask her.

Oh, what? And we're supposed to know everything about our kids, are we?

When Janet was born, I said to her, that first day in the hospital,

I promised her that I would always be there for her.

And what happens, eh?

I let her run out in the street and she gets hit by a motor.

I mean, what sort of father does that make me?

I left my Keanu outside the supermarket once.

Got all the way home before I even noticed.

THEY LAUGH

So she wants a dog. Next week, she'll want a cat.

What she don't want is you giving yourself grief cos you feel like

you need to make it up to her.

So she got hurt. You know, things happens.

My kids, they were barely out of A&E growing up.

Cos that's what kids do. You know, they run off,

they get themselves in bother.

You know, it's going to take more than a stray motor to knock

that little girl off her perch.

She's a fighter.

She's that, all right.

Yeah, and where do you think she gets that from, eh?

I just don't want to let her down again.

Oh, what are you talking about?

You've been fighting for her every day of her life,

like we all do for our kids.

Now, stop feeling sorry for yourself and concentrate on getting her home.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

Of course I am.

Right, well, best get myself back up the hospital.

Oh, hang on. I never said I weren't going to help you, did I?

BRONSON WHINES

Whisky? I'm having one.

I don't drink.

Wise move.

This has been a long time coming, Phil.

You've got two minutes.

Until what?

Until I smash your head through that desk.

I take it Kathy sent you?

She don't know I'm here.

I hold up my hands. I should never have gone to see her.

I suppose intrigue got the better of me.

And you just happened to be passing?

Actually, I do have a few business interests that way.

Kathy was a big part of my life.

It may seem strange to you, but we were friends once.

Until you raped her.

That's the thing with old age. There are so many ghosts.

I suppose part of me was trying to exorcise the past, so to speak.

Well, you can understand that, surely?

From what I hear, you've had your fair share of demons.

You don't know anything about me.

Don't I?

You and me aren't really that different, Phil.

We both loved Kathy once.

Right, that's it. I've heard enough.

Where are my manners? You came here to do a job.

Well, don't let me stop you.

In fact, you're probably doing me a favour.

-And what's that supposed to mean?

-Didn't she tell you I'm dying?

I'm just an old man trying to make peace with the past.

Is that really so bad?

Oh, OK. These ones, then.

All right?

Cab's waiting! Where have you been?

I had to pick up a little something for Janet and Will.

-What? What?

-Hello!

A ball?

That's not just any ball. That ball belongs to Bronson.

What have you been up to?

Karen Taylor says you can go and visit him any time you like.

Before school, after school and,

one day...one day, when we're in a bigger place, you can have a dog of your own.

-Yes!

-Yeah? Good?

HE CHUCKLES

What?

I love you, Billy Mitchell.

I love you, too.

-Where are you going?

-Bronson wants to go out.

I'll take him. Here, pack a few of his things.

That penguin he likes.

You're not getting rid of him, are you?

Of course I ain't! He's going on his holidays, that's all.

-Where?

-Billy and Honey's.

What's Keegan going to say?

Oh, he'll understand.

But he loves Bronson more than any of us.

Yeah, and there's a sick girl who needs some extra cuddles, ain't there?

-You're doing this for Janet?

-I have got a heart, you know.

And think about all the money I'll be saving on dog food.

What? It's only fair that they shell out for half his meals.

You know, maybe the odd vet bill here and there.

Come on! Come on! That's it, Bronson. Come on!

-Another glass of wine, please, Mick.

-I'll get that.

-Get out!

-I haven't come to cause trouble.

So what do you want?

-I've come to make you a deal.

-We're not interested.

No, hold up. Let the treacle speak.

-I've been speaking to the chairman.

-Oh, lovely!

Did you tell old toffee nose where to stick it?

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I did.

60,000 is an unreasonable amount to expect you to raise.

-Well, you got that right.

-So I've got it down to 50.

Oh, and how did you do that?

I can be very persuasive at times.

So he wiped ten grand off the bill, just like that?

I didn't give him much choice.

And, with your permission, I'd like to play him at his own game.

Go on.

We're going to work together to pay off this bill.

And why would you do that?

Because, believe it or not, Mick, I am on your side.

And nothing would give me

greater pleasure than to wipe that smug grin off his face.

So do we have a deal?

Ten grand?

In that case, make it a large one.

Books are upstairs.

Thank you.

RATTLING OF WHEELS

Are you going somewhere?

No. You are.

Spain for a couple of weeks.

All you've got to do is get yourself to the airport. Everything else is sorted out.

I can't go away. What about Janet?

You need to clear your head, and you can't do that here.

Shirl, please, I can't go.

I'm not asking you, Tina. I'm telling you.

Taxi!

Come with me! I don't want to go on my own!

Stay there a minute, darling, OK? We'll come and get you.

Hi, Tina. You going away?

Yeah, it's just for a couple of weeks, isn't it, Shirl?

Oh, lovely. Well, have fun.

Right.

Stansted, please, mate.

Let's get you home for tea and cake, yeah?

-In you get, Tina.

-And a film, yeah?

Good girl.

I shouldn't really be drinking on my medication.

But the damage has already been done.

Rest assured, I won't be bothering Kathy again.

And why should I believe you?

Cos I've said everything I need to say.

And besides, it's time for me to take a break,

let my son and daughter deal with the everyday running of things.

Your kids?

I'm sure you'll run into them at some point.

They're a real chip off the old block.

Well, you ain't exactly selling them to me.

I may be a lot of things, Phil,

but one thing I do pride myself on, and that's my children.

I suspect that's another thing we have in common.

Anyway, I must make a phone call.

I trust you can find your own way out?

If you ever go anywhere near Kathy again,

I will kill you with my bare hands. Now, do you understand me?

Something tells me Kathy's the least of your worries.

PHONE VIBRATES

Hi, Dad.

Yeah, I'm back in the pub.

No, they don't suspect anything.

Max? Yeah, it's all taken care of. Bye.

BEEP

CLOCK CHIMES