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Ian and Jane are at their wits' end worrying about Cindy. Whitney grows suspicious of Lee's behaviour. One family receives shocking news.

Anxious Ian hands over a photo of Cindy to police officers, frustrated when they point out Cindy got into the car with the men willingly. Jane pales when Bobby approaches the police about the person who hurt Lucy and hurries Liam home as she notices Ian fixating on the spot where Lucy died. Bobby thinks it’s Ian’s fault for upsetting Cindy. Ian’s convinced they’re being punished for their lies and heads out to search.

Fretful Liam rings TJ but has no luck. Meanwhile, Bobby wonders if Ian will search the common; sickened, Jane’s adamant it’s not the same as Lucy. While Ian and Martin drive around, Cindy’s phone keeps going to voicemail. Ian despairs he’s pushed all his kids away - even Bobby can see he’s a bad person. Martin tries to reassure Ian, insisting you love your kids no matter what they do or say. Ian scoffs – he has no idea. He’s approaching the police station when Cindy appears from an alleyway, safe.

Back home, Cindy’s unresponsive when Bobby questions if the men hurt her. Jane ushers everyone out and holds her. Ian earwigs on the stairs as Cindy tells Jane the men ditched her when she told them she was supposed to be at her school prom. Cindy cries they were the only people that wanted her and thinks Jane and Ian only care if she keeps their secrets. Although Ian protests, Cindy declares they forgive family no matter what but they don’t do that for her.

She walks out to find a Limo pulling up on the Square; Liam admits he got it for her. Cindy’s touched but thinks she doesn’t deserve Liam. Frustrated, Liam urges her to give Jane and Ian a chance – why can’t she see when people love her?! Vulnerable Cindy returns to the Beales’ and accepts Ian’s embrace. Liam admits Ricky paid for the Limo. Tina suggests they use it anyway and she, Carol, Sonia and Liam pile in.

Later, the Beales are enjoying pizza when there’s a knock on the door. Ian recognises the journalist, Beth Kennedy, who reveals the police have a new witness for Lucy’s murder.

While Linda fusses over Nancy, Mick grills Lee, suspicious of his claim that Nancy fell while play-fighting. Linda warns Nancy to be careful even though she hasn’t had a seizure in ages. Nancy feels guilty but backs up Lee’s story. Linda’s frosty with Mick for sending Lady Di away.

Lee confides in Nancy that Mick’s having a wobble and makes her promise to keep quiet about his problems. At the Butchers’, Carol’s unimpressed Tina’s agreed Lady Di can stay. Lee’s uncomfortable with Whitney’s praise for finding the dog and bolts when she suggests he recruit his army mates to look for Cindy. Worried, Whitney finds him huddled in an alleyway. Lee claims he’s fine, but eventually tearfully admits he’s been missing work and they think he needs to see a doctor; he’s a useless coward. Whitney soothes that the army can help with stress but Lee refuses all help. Whitney thinks she knows a way to help.

In the Vic, Linda admits Mick was right to send Lady Di away as Oliver’s much calmer. Lee announces he wants Whitney to move in. Linda calls for champagne, delighted. Whitney corners a dubious Nancy and hopes they can help Lee together. When Lee claims he already feels better for talking about his problems, Nancy shows him her seizure journal. Lee insists she can’t hide it from their parents but Nancy refuses. The siblings vow to look out for each other.

Stacey’s gutted by Martin’s answer. Martin wishes she’d change her mind about having the baby but Stacey’s resolute. When Ian phones to report Cindy’s missing, Martin seizes the chance to escape, horribly guilty.

As they search, Ian apologises for what he said about Stacey and knows he was wrong - your kids’ love is all that matters. Later, with Cindy safe and sound, Martin’s given food for thought when Carol remarks Cindy’s had a hard time without a mum – every kid needs a proper family.

Martin returns home and changes his mind but Stacey’s unconvinced and orders him to leave. Martin packs a bag but makes one last ditch attempt, adamant that being a parent is the hardest and best thing in the world and he wants to do it with her. Stacey eventually smiles – they’re having a baby!

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30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

  • Arctic Monkeys

    Black Treacle

  • Pluto Shervington

    Dat

  • Adele

    Rolling In The Deep

  • Florence + The Machine

    Ship To Wreck

  • Oasis

    The Importance Of Being Idle

Credits

Role Contributor
Jane Beale Laurie Brett
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Cindy Williams Mimi Keene
Liam Butcher James Forde
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Whitney Dean Shona McGarty
Lee Carter Danny-Boy Hatchard
Nancy Carter Maddy Hill
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Sonia Fowler Natalie Cassidy
Martin Fowler James Bye
Stacey Branning Lacey Turner
Bobby Beale Eliot Carrington
Beth Kennedy Jordan Baker
PC Benjamin Kresge Matthew Ashforde
Writer Sharon Marshall
Director Dominic Keavey
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Broadcasts