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As Carol prepares to leave Walford, the residents of Albert Square reel from the previous day's events. Lauren takes matters into her own hands. Phil's plan begins to fall apart.

At the Butchers’, the phone goes; it’s Marcus Christie. A teary Carol fills Sonia and Robbie in – Max has been sentenced for twenty years, plus twelve months for escaping lawful custody. Sonia and Robbie both suggest to Carol that her heading to Milton Keynes with Robbie and Sami might be a good idea. Carol heads to the café and tells Jane that she’s quitting to move to Milton Keynes. Jane opens the till and hands Carol a wad of notes, instructing Carol to treat herself. When Tina questions whether Carol is thinking of putting her motorbike up for sale, Carol firmly states that she’s keeping hold of it. Martin finds Carol in the Square Gardens in her own world; she informs Martin that she’s taking a trip down memory lane. Carol’s unimpressed when Martin claims that she and Pauline were similar – Carol’s quick to point out the generation gap.

As the Butchers sit down to dinner, Sonia clocks that Carol’s distracted and Carol barely registers Robbie’s suggestion that they set off for Milton Keynes soon. There’s a knock at the door – Carol returns with a puppy for Robbie and Sami – the pair are thrilled and Robbie christens him Wellard two. As the family fuss over the dog, Carol slips outside. When there’s a sound of a motorbike engine from outside, the family rush out to see Carol on board, clutching her passport. Carol explains that she has no idea where she’s going, but she wants more than ending up in Milton Keynes. After saying her goodbyes, Carol excitedly drives off on her adventure away from Walford...

Stacey arrives at Jane’s and questions where Max’s accusations about Bobby came from. Jane snaps that she doesn’t know and that it’s time to move on. Abi meets a frosty Lauren in the Square Gardens and claims that now Max’s fate is sealed, it’s time to stop running away. Abi hands Lauren a plane ticket to New Zealand, Lauren guesses that it was funded by Phil. A nervous Lauren arrives at the police station asking to see DI Keeble; claiming she has information on the Lucy Beale case. Bryant overhears and steps in, claiming that he’ll take care of the situation.

In the interview room, Laurent tells Bryant that everything Max was accusing Bobby of was true. As Lauren breathes a sigh of relief that the truth is out, she is flummoxed when Bryant states that he doesn’t believe a word. Bryant purports that since the day Emma Summerhayes died, he vowed that Max would pay for what he did and nothing can change that. As a teary Lauren leaves the police station with her plane ticket in hand, she promises Louie that one day they’ll come back.

Sharon confronts Phil – him trying to get Max off the hook doesn’t make sense. Sharon demands the truth – Phil maintains that he did it for her. There’s a knock at the door – it’s the foreman of the jury from Max’s case, who barges his way in and demands double the money that was agreed. Sharon descends the stairs just as the front door slams – Phil hurriedly suggests that they go away to celebrate their anniversary. Having been summoned by a text from Phil, Ben arrives home and is told that Phil’s leaving him in charge whilst he and Sharon are away.

As Sharon and Phil leave the house, Sharon’s affronted when the Foreman appears, demanding more money. When Phil hands over a wad of notes, Sharon twigs the truth. Phil begs for Sharon’s forgiveness but it falls on deaf ears – Sharon throws Phil’s bags out and tells him to leave. Phil lets himself into the Arches and is highly unimpressed when he discovers a half-naked Ben and Paul. A terrified Ben orders Paul out and promises Phil that he can explain. As Phil broods alone in the Arches, he’s taken aback when Gavin arrives with two heavies alongside him.

A reassured Linda informs Mick that not only is Lee taking his medication; he also opened up to her. Nancy heads downstairs sporting a hairstyle which covers her forehead. As Linda brushes Nancy’s hair to the side, she clocks a cut on Nancy’s head. Nancy reluctantly explains that recently she’s been having more seizures than usual; she bumped her head from her one this morning.

Alone with Mick, Linda calls the doctor, adamant that Nancy’s going. Linda’s surprised when Nancy informs her that she’s booked herself a doctor’s appointment – she’s on her way. Nancy arrives back later and informs the family that they’ve upped her medication dosage. Elaine arrives home from holiday with a man on her arm. She introduces him to the family as Jason, and the room is stunned when she announces that they’re engaged.

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30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

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

  • Years & Years

    Shine

  • The Stranglers

    Peaches

  • Paul Weller

    Going My Way

  • Steve Winwood

    Valerie

  • Cilla Black

    Step Inside Love

  • Glenn Miller

    Moonlight Seren

  • 5 Seconds of Summer

    She's Kinda Hot

  • The Osmonds

    Love Me For A Reason

  • Jimmy Cliff

    You Can Get It If You Really Want

  • Simple Minds

    Don't You (Forget About Me)

  • Bee Gees

    Islands In The Stream

  • Ghostpoet

    X Marks The Spot (Radio Edit)

Credits

Role Contributor
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Sonia Fowler Natalie Cassidy
Bex Fowler Jasmine Armfield
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Sharon Mitchell Letitia Dean
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Paul Coker Jonny Labey
Dot Branning June Brown
Martin Fowler James Bye
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Tamwar Masood Himesh Patel
Nancy Carter Maddy Hill
Lee Carter Danny-Boy Hatchard
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Babe Smith Annette Badland
Robbie Jackson Dean Gaffney
Gavin Sullivan Paul Nicholas
Elaine Peacock Maria Friedman
Jason Adams Scott Neal
DCI Jill Marsden Sophie Stanton
DI Samantha Keeble Alison Newman
DS Cameron Bryant Glen Wallace
Jury Foreperson Rupert Holliday Evans
Sami Jackson Shiven Shankar
Writer Julia Honour
Director John Howlett
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts