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Carol is forced to face the music, and Sonia is knocked sideways by her admission. Buster finds himself making a deal with the devil.

Alone in the Vic, Nancy has a seizure. Shabnam clocks Tamwar’s bad mood and questions what’s wrong. Tamwar admits that he and Nancy have had a row – they’re still not sleeping together which Nancy assumes is down to religion, whereas really it’s about Tamwar’s scars. Shabnam firmly tells Tamwar that he has nothing to be ashamed of; Nancy isn’t shallow enough to have a problem with it.

A panicked Tamwar arrives at the Vic to find Nancy on the floor, who manages to tell him that she needs water. Tamwar clocks Nancy hiding something in her pocket but doesn’t question it. As the pair sit at the table, Nancy admits that she made a fool out of herself with Stacey – she thought that there was something going on between her and Kush, but there isn’t. Nancy purports that she can’t necessarily tell Tamwar everything- her epilepsy is something she has to do on her own. Tamwar suggests he go first – he has stuff he’s reluctant to share too.

In Nancy’s bedroom, Tamwar bravely takes off his shirt and shows Nancy the scars on his back. The penny drops for Nancy; the scars are the reason they haven’t been intimate. Nancy gently assures Tamwar that the scars aren’t a problem. Tamwar tells Nancy that she needs to let him in – he loves her. Nancy promises that she will try and be honest with him from now on; she loves him too.

Post-coital, Nancy and Tamwar are awoken when Linda knocks on the door to find Ollie’s feeding cushion. With Nancy out of the room, Tamwar sneaks a look in Nancy’s notepad. Tamwar confronts Nancy – he’s seen her list of seizures she’s been making and it’s serious, she needs help.

Carol sincerely thanks Shirley for helping her to look at her mastectomy scars. Sonia and Tina corner Carol who informs the pair that Shirley has been round and accepted her apology. Sonia finds Carol making dinner and clocks her good mood. Carol assures Sonia that she’s put all the negativity behind her and won’t be having the breast reconstruction. Carol comes clean – she’s finally been able to look at her scars properly. When Sonia cottons on to the fact that it was Shirley who helped Carol to look, Sonia is visibly put out.

As Carol, Sonia, Tina, Liam and Whitney eat dinner in the living room, Carol makes an effort in engaging in conversation but gets little back. Eventually Sonia snaps – asking Carol if she has any idea how much the family have done for her lately, yet it was Shirley who saved the day. Later, Carol approaches Sonia and admits that Sonia’s right – she’s not made things easy for the family and apologises for pushing Sonia away. The pair hug and Carol assures Sonia that they have nothing to be scared of anymore.

It’s awkward between Martin and Stacey as they dine alone in Beales’. Stacey checks her phone to find she has four missed calls and snaps at Martin when she thinks he’s suggesting that she’s had too much to drink. Martin reassures Stacey that her bipolar doesn’t bother him – he just wants to get to know her. A fraught Stacey ups and leaves. Back at Stacey’s flat, whilst Whitney babysits Lily, the door goes. Whitney seems surprised at who’s there and tells them to come on up. Stacey returns home, shocked to see that Jean has arrived, and with big news – she and Ollie are getting married…

Shirley returns home and tells a relieved Buster to make himself useful – she can’t get Jade back on her own. Buster informs Shirley that he has a business plan; he’s going to open a fish stall on Bridge Street. Buster catches up with Tamwar and asks his advice for opening a stall, but Tamwar brushes him off – promising he can call him later. Later, Buster tries phoning, but Tamwar misses his call. Buster admits to Patrick that he doesn’t know where to start with his business – maybe it’s too good to be true. When Vincent comes home, Buster tells him that he needs a job – he needs easy money.

Carol turns up at Max’s and tells him to get dressed – they’re heading to the Vic to celebrate her good news. Carol is shocked when she peers into the living room; Max has let the house get into a complete state.

Shabnam nervously finishes up a call from Zainab as Tamwar enters. The pair agree that Zainab will be furious when she finds out about Shabnam’s pregnancy.

Available now

30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Rebecca Ferguson

    Mr Bright Eyes

  • Hozier

    Someone New

  • Taylor Swift

    Style

  • Rihanna

    Better Have My Money

  • Lisa Stansfield

    All Round World

  • Róisín Murphy

    Exploitation

  • Kelly Clarkson

    Heartbeat Song

  • Years & Years

    King

  • The Charlatans

    So Oh

  • Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    You're All I Need To Get By

  • Marvin Gaye

    How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

Credits

Role Contributor
Tamwar Masood Himesh Patel
Nancy Carter Maddy Hill
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Shirley Carter Linda Henry
Andrew 'Buster' Briggs Karl Howman
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Sonia Fowler Natalie Cassidy
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Whitney Dean Shona McGarty
Liam Butcher James Forde
Cindy Williams Mimi Keene
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Martin Fowler James Bye
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Max Branning Jake Wood
Patrick Trueman Rudolph Walker
Vincent Hubbard Richard Blackwood
Shabnam Masood Rakhee Thakrar
Lily Branning Aine Garvey
Jean Slater Gillian Wright
Writer Josh Freedman Berthoud
Director Toby Frow
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts