09/02/2018 EastEnders

-DAISY CRIES

-No, we don't hit.

DAISY SCREAMS

KNOCKING AT FRONT DOOR

There, there. There, baby. I'm not going away.

I love you. We all love you.

-SCREAMING CONTINUES

-There, there.

Sorry to disturb you.

I hope you don't think I'm some interfering old busybody, but...

-is it a bad time?

-It's all right...

Just say what you've come to say.

Well, it was just... It's just the...

Is that going to stay like that?

When I was living here, Masood wouldn't let me change anything.

-It was just something to amuse the child.

-Oh, I see.

She's going to her new family today.

There, there, it's all right.

-I'll take care of it once she's gone.

-Oh, right. Thank you.

-We all love you.

-Bet you'll appreciate the peace and quiet, though, eh?

-I love you.

-Arshad loves you.

-I'll... I'll run along, leave you to it.

No, we don't spit.

No, no, Daisy! No spitting!

Current account, £1,743.17.

-Might last us a month if we're lucky.

-Meaning?

Meaning, I'm going to have to get myself some work.

And in between doing that, see about finding you a new school.

-Yeah, well, I'm 16 soon.

-Not till November you're not.

You're not going to make my mistake

and leave school with no qualifications.

-HE SIGHS

-It's not up for debate, Hunter.

Right, I'm going to get some business cards printed,

and while I'm gone, this place has not been touched since we arrived.

I want it spotless by the time I get back.

HE KNOCKS ON FRONT DOOR

Can I come in?

-Easy!

-Right, one pair of jeans,

cheap coat,

five-pack of underpants,

ditto socks, and T-shirt.

-You owe me 44 quid.

-Thanks.

-Oh, and I bumped into Honey outside.

-What did she say?

Not a lot, she just asked me to pass this on.

Listen, Billy, what I said yesterday.

-Last night was a one-off, OK?

-What happened to family?

-DOORBELL

Well, I'd imagine that Honey's asking herself the very same question.

FRONT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

SHE SIGHS

-So where's, where's the little man?

-I told you last night.

-They stayed at Kush's.

-Oh, yeah.

How was five-a-sides? Did you win?

-No, I didn't go.

-Why?

Why do you think? YOU didn't go out, then?

Well, no, it's a bit hard with a four-month-old.

All right. Let's just drop it, shall we?

-How's Max coping?

-What, you mean the "ginger ferret"?

-All right...

-The ginger ferret that's just lost his daughter?

Yeah, you've made your point.

Is that the only reason you've come round here,

cos you're worried about Max?

No, I just thought we could come to, like, a regular arrangement

-with the kids.

-Go on.

Well, you have them in the week and I'll have

them Friday night to Monday morning.

-What, so I do all the donkey work while you have all the fun?

-No!

What am I supposed to do with myself all weekend?

Well, I thought you'd be pleased. You get Friday and Saturday night to do what you want.

-What's that supposed to mean?

-I am thinking of you!

-No, you ain't, you're doing that!

-Can't we even have a proper conversation any more?

-Oh, I guess that's my fault an' all?

-Do you know what, forget it!

-Am I having the kids tonight or not?

-I'll see.

No, that's not good enough, Stace. I need a yes or a no, now!

I'll text you.

-"I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!"

-SHE LAUGHS

-How are we doing?

-We're fine now, aren't we, darling?

There've been a few tears, but it's over now.

We've had a long chat, haven't we?

And I've been explaining to her that it's not as

-though she's never going to see us again.

-No!

There'll be birthdays and visits and all sorts.

Of course there will be.

-How could you think that we'd never see you again?

-HE SCOFFS

We love you, darling, forever!

Now we've got to think about packing your clothes, your shoes, your toys.

You're going to help, aren't you?

So you run along upstairs and start sorting,

and I'll be with you in two ticks.

HE SIGHS

How are you?

SHE SOBS

Come here, meri jaan.

We'll be strong.

Like we've been strong before.

-We will be strong again.

-Yes.

-What was you thinking?

-I wasn't thinking.

That's the whole point.

And you knew about this?

Well, I'm not saying that I approved, but I was trying to help her out.

-You don't even like geezers.

-So I'm flexible...

Even if you did, of all the geezers to choose.

-Billy Mitchell?!

-I didn't "choose" him! It just happened.

What are you going to say to them kids who've lost their dad?

-Oh, don't!

-I don't think she's gone to the police.

We'd have heard something by now.

Right, here's what you're going to do. You're going to go to the

Minute Mart, you're going to go and see Honey.

You're going to get on your knees and you're going to beg.

Mick's right, Tina.

You're going to tell her it was your fault, that he didn't want to,

-but you pushed him into it.

-But that's not true!

Do you think those kids are going to care whether you did or you

didn't? They want their dad back.

You've got to take responsibility, Teen.

They want seven grand by this time next week or they're taking us

to court.

So can you transfer some money into my account and I'll sort it?

I'm doing you a favour here, Phil - it's your club, too!

Yeah, well, if I had the money, I'd do it!

Fine! Fine, deal with it yourself!

God, he drives me mad sometimes.

Know what you should do?

-Enlighten me, Billy.

-Reopen it.

The R&R? At my age, with an 11-year-old?

I'd be dead within the week.

Not if you had someone to manage it for you.

-You are joking.

-No, I'm not.

-I've run a business the last three years.

-From which you've just been fired.

-Yes, but...

-..for gross irresponsibility.

I don't think so, Billy.

Go and work on your marriage.

So I'll find her at home, will I? Cheers.

Well, if it isn't the home-wrecker.

I hope you're feeling really pleased with yourself.

Viktoria's already here.

She's helping Her Ladyship get ready.

They won't be a moment. Come through.

-How is she?

-Her Royal Gorgeousness.

Ah, not so gorgeous this morning.

-We had a bit of a wobble.

-Oh, yes?

Took me half an hour to calm her down.

We had a taste of that the other night.

-What was it about?

-So much disruption in her young life.

I mean, three placements before she even came to us,

and now they're moving her on again.

-Of course she's going to be upset.

-We understand.

-I hope you do.

We had a long talk last night.

We've done nothing but talk.

We're determined to give her the best life we possibly can.

We have so much love to give her.

You're going to need it.

I mean, when she breaks her toys, you'll still love her.

-When she spits at you...

-Like she spat at me this morning...

..you'll still love her.

When she bangs her head against the wall and screams,

-you'll still love her.

-We get it.

-Do you?

When she lies, when she steals, when she calls you names,

-you'll still love her.

-We're under no illusions.

-The hardest thing you've ever done.

-We appreciate that. We do.

And the most rewarding.

Mariam, are you doing your usual?

-Here she is!

-Wow, look at you! LAUGHTER

-Hello, Daisy?

-Would Sasha like to say hello?

-LAUGHTER

-I wonder if Sasha and Daisy

would like a piece of cake.

-Piece of cake, yeah?

-Yes, Mariam's bringing it through.

SHE SOBS

-So are you having the kids tonight or not?

-"She'll see."

-What does that mean?

-Exactly.

Did you get back in touch with that lawyer? Good.

Well, she carries on like this, I'm going to have to.

But only as a last resort, yeah?

I've only got so much patience, 'Chelle. I ain't a saint.

She mucks me about just one more time...

What?

-Say, "Gorgonzola".

-Gorgonzola!

-LAUGHTER

Now, this will be printed up...

Along with all the children we've taken care of,

so that we never forget them.

-Well, as if we're ever likely to forget.

-LAUGHTER

-This is for you to keep.

-Oh, wow.

-Look, Ash...

-Fantastic.

Oh, before you get too involved in that, we have a little

present for Daisy.

Most important, so close your eyes.

Here it is.

Open your eyes.

Now, this may look like an ordinary stone, but it's actually a...

This is a magic stone.

Just like the one over there.

You see, every evening, Arshad and I put our hands

on that stone and pour all our love into it,

so that it goes out to all the children we've taken care of.

It's beautiful. What do we say, Daisy?

-Thank you.

-We will keep that very safe.

-Can you feel the magic, Daisy?

-Right! Who's for cake?

-Me, me, me, me!

-Yeah!

-LAUGHTER

So I said to myself,

"There's no point sitting around feeling sorry for myself.

"Get on with something useful."

Yeah? So anything related to a certain ex-undertaker goes in there.

Black Lace, Greatest Hits. I mean, obviously his.

Can I offer you a cup of something?

-Honey...

-What?

-I'm worried about you.

-Why? Why?

I mean, this is that fresh start everyone always talks about.

I'm absolutely fine.

-Maybe I will have that cup of tea.

-Sure. Yeah.

Actually, Carmel, you don't know anything about CD players, do you? Cos Billy said he'd fix this one,

and obviously he's left it like this, and I can't bear not listening to music.

Now, let me make you that cup of tea.

-Oh, I don't know what I've done with the kettle. There it is.

-SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

So, you're a consultant?

I'm looking for new clients all over East London.

20 years' experience in all aspects of the licensing trade.

I can really help you grow your business.

Mel? Not, um...

not the Mel that was with, what's the name, um...Steve?

Maybe.

Married to Ian Beale an' all, weren't you?

Yeah, for about 20 minutes, yeah.

Why? Who've you been talking to?

No, you stand behind this bar for long enough,

-you get to hear all the stories.

-Not ALL, I hope.

I'll be straight with you - we've had managing consultants coming

out of our earholes this past year, so I'm not that keen.

-Not all management consultants are the same.

-This is true.

I tell you what I'll do, I'll keep hold of this.

-I'll have a little think up and I'll get back to you.

-Thank you.

-And you are?

-Mick. Mick Carter.

It's nice to meet you, Mick. No doubt I'll see you around,

-as they say.

-Pleasure.

-What?

-You know.

-No, I don't know.

Just saying.

SHE LAUGHS

-You all right, Mel?

-Hi.

Have a business card.

Ooh, Get you.

Seriously, if you do know anyone who's in the trade who might

-need my expertise...

-Well, funny you should say that.

-I was just about to call you, actually.

-Oh, yeah?

Yeah. Follow me.

So, if I was to completely redecorate in here,

what colour would you choose?

I mean, I'm thinking something bright, something bold,

something different.

-I mean, what do you think, Carmel?

-Honey?

-What?

-Billy's lost his job.

-So?

So the flat comes with the job.

Why are you trying to spoil things for me?

I'm thinking yellow, you know?

Yeah, something, something that says sunshine.

Yeah, like a brand-new day.

-Sounds great.

-Perfect, yeah.

Now, I've...I've done my best with this.

Why don't you plug it in and see if it works?

-Oh, thank you.

-INTERCOM BUZZER

Ignore it.

Let me.

Hello?

-'Who's that?'

-It's Carmel.

She doesn't want to speak to you, Billy.

-'I just want five minutes.'

-She says no.

'Please, I'm begging.'

Wait there, I'll come down.

I'll get rid of him.

-I'm going to have to go.

-Yeah, sure.

-I'm meant to be at work.

-Of course. Thank you.

You've been lovely.

Stay strong, Honey.

It's just been sitting here, doing nothing since Christmas before last.

Phil was supposed to be selling it, only of course he hasn't.

And today I learn there's a stack of business rates he's been

-shoving in a drawer somewhere.

-Why the name change?

It's a long story.

Thing is, I took a look at the old accounts this morning.

Now, two years ago, this place was clearing well over five grand

a week, and that was before the hipsters turned up.

-So, what? You're going to reopen it?

-No. You are.

-Absolutely not.

-You owe me. And Phil.

Well, I thought you were looking for work.

I just want to talk to her. Please!

Well, she doesn't want to talk to you! Why would she?

You have no-one to blame but yourself, Billy.

Now leave her alone!

I can almost smell his aftershave.

Well, it's your decision. I ain't going to beg you.

I just thought, seeing as you're familiar with the place...

-What did Phil say?

-Leave Phil to me.

Course, it'll take a lot of work to get it back into shape,

and we'll probably need to take out a loan,

but I reckon we could have it up and running in a month,

if you're prepared to put the work in.

What? You're not telling me you believe in ghosts!

I'm sorry, Sharon, but it feels like a bit of a backward step.

I'm surprised at you, Mel.

Letting a man dictate your life to you from beyond the grave.

Thought you had more balls than that.

Never mind.

You coming or not?

Mariam hates goodbyes.

-Well, she always cries.

-Of course.

It can upset the children.

Now, you be a good girl for Ashley and Dan, won't you?

And I'll see you very soon, hmm?

HE CHUCKLES

Right, well, do I get a cuddle? Aah.

Right, then.

Oh, sit in the back.

Yes, of course.

-Thank you so much.

-Huh?

-HE LAUGHS

Feel free to use the magic stone yourself.

You'll almost certainly find you need it.

Of course.

And thank you again.

-So...

-Indeed.

How are you feeling?

-I work with a lot of foster carers. Do you know how good you are?

-THEY LAUGH

And you too, of course.

Till next time.

If there is a next time.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

Please, Hon.

I made one stupid mistake when I wasn't thinking straight.

I love you, babe. I love you so much.

Wait there a minute.

Good...riddance...

to bad...rubbish!

STEREO PLAYS UPBEAT MUSIC

Arshad. If not fostering, then what? One has to make a living somehow.

-Meri jaan, I...

-Martin! Martin!

-£50.65. Thank you very much.

-Martin! Martin, you've got to come!

-Well give us a sec, 'Chelle.

-No, now, it's Stacey!

-Why? What's going on?

-She's taking the kids.

Shrimpy, watch my stall!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

What the hell are you doing?!

-I'm taking the kids to Brighton.

-Again?!

-Yes, again.

-Well, I'm having them tonight.

-Well, I did text you.

-I didn't get a text.

-Ain't my fault.

-You can't do this, Stace!

Not without consulting me! And where's Lily anyway?

-We're picking her up from school on the way.

-No, you ain't going anywhere, mate, all right?

You're staying here. 'Chelle, sort him out with a fiver or something?

No. Don't listen to him. First stop, Walford Primary, second stop London Bridge, please.

Stace, I'm not going to let you do this.

Oh, Martin! What are you going to do? What, you're going to hit me?

Well, go on, then - in front of all these people. Go on.

I tell you what, let's call the lawyers, shall we?

-Let's actually get them involved, see what they say!

-Oi! Stop this, now!

-Who are you?

Do you have the first idea what you're doing to those children?

Hey, look, we're sorting this out, mate, all right? So back off.

No, I will not back off.

-Not when there are children involved.

-They're just babies.

-Just babies?!

I've spent my whole life fixing the damage done by the likes of you.

The shouting, the threats,

the violence. You really think that isn't going in?

OK, meri jaan, you've made your point, now calm down.

No, I will not calm down! Not when there's child abuse!

-No, I'm not.

-Oh, get real!

-Their brains are like sponges.

They absorb everything.

You want them to grow up just like you?

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

-Maybe we should all take five minutes?

-OK Arshad, let's go home.

Not until I know those children are safe.

You need to take a long, hard look at yourselves, the both of you.

Children need to be protected, to be loved.

That's your job!

That's your most important job!

They can't look after themselves, can they? They're not tough like you. They're fragile souls.

Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. Sorry.

-Fine. You have them.

-And where are you going?

Someone's got to pick Lily up from school.

Hey!

Daddy's here now, all right?

Look, I don't need this, Hunter.

-What happened to facing up to the past?

-Will you pack it in?

You were going on this morning about how poor we are.

We... I said, will you stop?!

"Well, thanks for tidying the house, Hunter. You've done a great job.

-"Appreciate it."

-What? Oh, yeah.

So you have.

Thank you.

Look, if staying here's going to do this to you, there's still always

Portugal.

Seriously.

I wouldn't mind.

If that's what you want.

You know what? Sharon's right.

About what?

I'm not going to let that man run my life from beyond the grave.

-Mum?

-No, I've had it with him.

He's not going to hurt me any more.

Hello, Sharon, it's me.

I will take you up on your offer after all.

Was I wrong, meri jaan, to make that scene?

You know, sometimes I...

I just want to go away and live somewhere in a cave and forget all

about this wicked world.

And how would you watch cricket in a cave?

LAUGHTER

PHONE RINGS

Hello? Yes.

Yes, yes, I'll ask my husband.

Two-year-old. Non-accidental injury.

They want an immediate answer.

Yes or no?

Yes.

When will you be bringing her round?

Yes, that's fine. Bye.

THEY LAUGH

FRONT DOOR SLAMS

-You all right?

-In here, Mart.

Where are the kids?

She picked them up half an hour ago.

I wasn't prepared to argue, not after this afternoon.

Right, well, get this - I've just had Stacey's mum on the phone.

-Oh, yeah?

-Yeah.

Well, apparently Stacey's not picking her phone up

-and she's worried, right? Well, that's no big deal cos that's just typical Jean.

-So, what, then?

-So I decided to tell her why Stacey weren't going down to Brighton tonight and why.

-And?

She didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

So, if she wasn't going to Brighton, where the hell was she going?

POP MUSIC PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

My artistic streak, innit? Can't help it.

That's one word for it.

I ain't finished. Get me another tea, please, darlin'.

PHONE RINGS

Took your time, didn't you?

Yeah, I'm here.

You never told me this place was so...friendly.

All right, all right.

So, you got the pictures I sent, then?

That's him, yeah?

I knew it, I can sniff a wretch at 20 paces.

He's so far up himself, I'm surprised he ain't coming out

the other end.

Me?

I wouldn't touch him with the bottom end of a bog brush, thanks.

Don't you worry.

I know exactly what to do next.