Shirley stares at her phone, crying. It’s on Heather’s number. Heather and Minty spoil Garry for his birthday.
Bradley is stirring his coffee when Clare comes in barely covered and adjust to make sure she’s even more exposed as she leans over Bradley. She asks him if he’d like breakfast. Sure, he says. She says, “so you’ll have to get back into the work routine again?” He says he will but shouldn’t be too hard. She asks Bradley if he’d like a sauce for his bacon. He says, sure. Clare is frustrated by Bradley’s lack of attention.
Max makes up the bedding on the sofa so that the girls don’t see he is sleeping there when Abi walks in. She brings him his coffee. She asks him why he slept on the sofa. He tells that mum just wants a bit of time for things to get back to normal. Abi tells him that Sean used to sleep on the sofa. Max tells her that Sean is not here anymore. He hugs Abi.
Ian is sleeping on the sofa when Jane wakes him. She asks him if it was uncomfortable? He says it was. She says good. She’s going to take a shower, and he can sort the kid’s breakfast. Jane turns around and asks him to sort out Marie’s cake as it’s her last day. Ian says he doesn’t have time. Jane turns around and angrily tells Ian that Marie is leaving to have her baby, and he will sort out the cake. He tells her no problem.
Stacey is on her stall when Steven comes out. She avoids him. He walks up and asks if she is all right? She says it’s back to reality. He asks if she’d like a coffee. She tells him no she needs to get on with it. He walks off.
Garry hangs up his present from Minty. He goes on and on about his favorite player. Minty carries in Shirley’s bridesmaid dress.
Clare flirts with Bradley, and he takes no notice. She asks him if he’d like another sandwich. He says no thanks. Dot comes in the door, and Bradley asks if she is alright. Dot says she was just squashed up on the train next to a man. She is happy to be home, as Clare leans in to kiss her cheek. Dot tells them both she doesn’t understand why they said Jim was upset as he wasn’t. Dot goes on to say that Carol told her to go ahead and stay a few more days anyway. Dot says it was nice not to have to rush back. Dot looks at Clare and tells her to put some more clothes on as she’ll catch her death in that flimsy thing. Clare scoffs and pulls her robe closed.
Max is working and holding Oscar. Tanya comes in and tells him not to let the kids forget what they need for school. He calls after her to have a good day. She stops and asks if he’s going to call his solicitor about the paperwork? He says sure he’s going to. She says he could still call to check. Max ensures her he will. She kisses Oscar goodbye. Max looks down at Oscar after she’s left and says, “What do you reckon, mate? Do you think your mum means it?”
Garry, Minty, and Heather are leaving their flat. She’s carrying the dress and says this will be a good day as this dress is a sign. Garry asks what the plans are for tonight? Minty tells him they’ll start in the Vic at seven and then head off for a curry. Heather says this dress is really going to cheer Shirley up. She goes to leave them and stops. She says, “so seven in the Vic and then off for a curry?” Garry tells Minty no way! Minty calls out to Heather and tells her she wouldn’t like it as it will be just blokes mucking about! Heather tells Minty she likes mucking about. She’ll see them at seven. Garry, thanks, Minty! Minty says he’ll talk to her. Garry says he better, or this will not be a fun evening.
Jane tells Christian about Clare. She tells him Ian didn’t do anything! Christian says only because Ian is a wimp. Jane tells Christian that Ian is her wimp! Christian mocks Ian’s apology. Jane tells him that Ian is not getting off lightly. Christian tells her that he and Jane are going out tonight. He tells her to leave Walford East to all of it, kids, dinner, etc. Jane tells him no, as she knows what he means by night out. He promises no strippers. It will be just them and a few giggles. He says that he will draw the blokes in, and you never know maybe even a poke. Jane tells him he doesn’t ever stop, does he? He says what’s good for the goose? Jane slaps him on his bum.
Heather rings Shirley’s bell. She calls up to her and gets no response.
Sean sneaks up on Tanya. She screams and tells him to watch it as Chelsea and Clare will be in soon. Sean wonders if Max is keeping up his part of their agreement? Tanya tells him that Max is ringing his solicitor today, and in a few weeks, everything will be in her name. It will be just her, Sean, and the kids. Tanya tells Sean that she’ll get Max to take the girls out, and he can come round tonight. Clare makes some noise, and Sean hurries out of sight. Clare tells Tanya that Dot is back. She asks if she can take an early lunch and pop back and make a fuss over her? Tanya tells her sure.
Heather comes in and finds Shirley passed out on the sofa. She shakes her and gets no response.
Jean invites Stacey to go see a scary film. Stacey tells her that she hates to be scared. Jean says she can invite Steven. Stacey tells her no she doesn’t want him to come. Jean asks if something is going on? Stacey replies that nothing is going on. Jean pushes, and Stacey admits that she and Steven kissed. Jean is overjoyed and gushes that her little girl is moving on. Stacey tells her it’s not a big deal. Jean asks what happens now? Stacey replies that nothing happens now. Stacey tells her mum that she won’t be out there chasing after any blokes either. Jean is shocked.
heather tosses water on Shirley, and she jumps up, asking, “What the hell is this?” Heather says she thought she was dead. Shirley says, so she thought she’d soak her with water? Shirley wonders how she got in. Heather holds up her old keys. She tells Shirley she’ll never guess what is in the box! Heather pulls out a lavender cowgirl dress with fringe and all. Shirley looks at it and says, “what the hell is that!”
Jack bumps into Tanya. He asks if she’s alright? She says yes, and you? He says he is happy to have his flat back. She says the kids are well happy he’s home. Jack asks her, what’s changed? She tells him that she decided to grow up and do what was best. Best for who, Jack asks? She tells Jack best for her and the kids. She knows who Max is. Jack says he heard he was on parole. She says he is, and once he’s signed everything over, Max will think twice before he does what he did again. Jack says, “he’s signing things over?” Tanya says yes, he wouldn’t have done what he did if he was just worried about losing her and the kids, would he? Jack says yes, and now it’s on your terms. Tanya says yeah, yeah, it is.
Heather says she couldn’t believe it when she found the dress. It reminded her of a time when she was a little girl all dressed up for a party. She tells Shirley that her Uncle Ken said she was the prettiest girl there. Heather is holding the dress up to herself as Shirley chugs vodka. Shirley threatens to set the dress on fire. Heather tells her not to be like that. Shirley tells her she is so fake with her fake wedding. Heather tells Shirley she is not fake. Shirley mocks Heather, “I was the prettiest girl there.” She tells Heather to leave. Heather tells her she can wear a hairband instead of the hat if she likes. Heather says she wore a yellow one with daisies on it. Heather says she better go. Shirley asks her what she’s doing later? Heather tells her she is busy. Shirley tells her if she doesn’t want to come, then fine! Heather says it’s not that its just she’s got things she has to do for the wedding. Heather asks Shirley if she shouldn’t have a quiet night in and get to bed early? Shirley doesn’t respond. Heather says she’ll leave the dress there and heads off. She says she’ll see her maybe later. Shirley just stares off.
Clare asks if Jim is doing ok then? Dot says that he’s busy flirting with the nurses. Clare asks if she could come with Dot one time to meet Jim. Dot says he’d love that seeing a pretty young face. Clare suggests they take Bradley out for drinks to celebrate his new job. Dot says that would be a good idea. She says they could invite his friends. Clare says that him getting this job is a chance for him to move on. Dot says she will head off to the Vic. Clare begs her off and says she will get it all taken care of.
Ian comes into the caff. Christian says, “flowers and he baked you a cake! Sure he didn’t sleep with Clare!” Ian says the cake is for Marie. He hands the flowers to Jane. Jane says that Marie is on a break and she’ll give the cake to her when she gets back. Ian says the kids are home from school, and he’ll get them their food. Christian says, “Gorgeous thing like Clare? Animal Magnetism?” Ian says he’ll be at home. Christian says he doesn’t understand what it is with straight men and flowers. He tells Jane he never brought anyone flowers. She says maybe that is why he’s never been married.
Max is walking the girls home from school. The girls run ahead. Stacey says he’s back playing the doting dad. Max says he thinks she should be pleased. “Pleased?” Stacey replies. Max says yes as it’s one less casualty of their dirty little affair. Max walks on, and Stacey stares at him, disgusted.
Jack walks up and says, “all part of the terms of the contract is it?” Max says, what? Jack tells him the child care, signing over his stocks and investments. Max tells him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Jack reckons that Tanya has him sussed. Max tells Jack he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Max says he’s just playing along. Jack asks him that she has him. Max looks at Jack and says, “A week. Everything will be back where it should be.” Jack asks him if he thinks it will be that easy? Max says, yeah, and he ain’t going to sign nothing because he won’t need to.
Clare asks Bradley why he’s not ready? Bradley says he’s not going, and besides, it’s just a job. Clare tells him that Gus sweeping the streets is just a job. He’s gone and gotten himself a good cracking job, and they are going to celebrate. She orders him upstairs to get ready. She tells him no wearing that shirt with the burn in it.
Minty convinces Phil to come out with them for drinks and a curry. Minty, Garry, Gus, and Mickey have a laugh drinking. Heather calls Phil down to talk. She fills him in on Shirley. Phil says she’s her mate. She can sort it. Heather tells him Shirley’s never been like this before. Clare comes in and pops up to the bar and asks Phil for free bubbly to celebrate Bradley’s job. He doesn’t want to, but she reminds him that Tracy is her godmother and determined to make her dreams come true. Phil offers up two bottles of the cheap stuff. Garry is upset that it’s his birthday, and he’s paying for his own drinks. Phil tells them he’s going to go up and say goodnight to Ben, then they’ll go. Garry is happy and says that Phil can pick up the bill then. Minty taps Heather’s shoulder and tells her to pass it on. She punches Garry. They all take turns punching Garry in the arm.
Tanya sees the girls and Max out. They see Bradley. Abi says, “Dad’s back. He said he was sorry. He’s taking us bowling.” Max offers Bradley to come with them. Bradley tells him that Tanya might be a mug, but he’s not. Max says bye to Tanya. He tells her they won’t be late. She tells him not to worry and to have a good time.
Minty, Garry, Heather, and Phil show up for curry. Phil is curious as to why Heather is there.
Bradley is celebrating when Stacey comes in. Jean says they can go somewhere else. Stacey says no, they came for a drink, and that is what they are going to do.
Minty and Heather bicker like an old married couple Phil says. They have more banter, and it gives Phil a headache.
Sean shows up for a night in with Tanya.
They pick on Heather for being such a good mate to Shirley. They have a good laugh at Shirley’s expense. Shirley bust through the door drunk off her rocker dressed in the bridesmaid dress. She puts her cigarette out in Minty’s plate, puts on her hat, and says, “Look at me! Prettiest girl in the wedding.” Shirley falls over into the table, ruining the dress, then falls back into the waiter. Phil declares that this night just gets better and better.
Jane and Christian banter about Clare’s skin-tight dress. She tells Christian it’s so obvious she might as well have a sign around her neck. Bradley tells Gus and Mickey about his job. They realize he is not getting paid until he sells the lot. Bradley says he’ll be raking the money in no time flat! Stacey is grim-looking, and Jean tries to cheer her up. Stacey excuses herself, and Jean calls Steven.
Jane makes a move to put Clare in her place. Christian tells her not to do the girly slap. Jane walks up to Clare and tells her she knows what she’s been up to. Ian’s told her everything. Clare warns Jane off her dress and tells her to watch her drink. Jane tells her she’s on to her and to stay away from Ian. Clare tells Jane she wouldn’t go near Ian if he was the last man on earth. Jane steps back and spills Clare’s drink down the front of her. Clare gasps, and Jane leans in and tells Clare to stay away from Ian. Jane walks off, and Clare turns around helpless saying, “look what she’s done to me.” Dot offers a tissue. Christian tells Jane a punch in the mouth would have been better.
Shirley gets them all kicked out and barred from the Curry house. Minty is angry at her for getting them banned from their favorite curry place. Garry chimes in. Phil wonders what is going on with Shirley? He asks if she is just set on causing chaos? Shirley says she just wanted to show Hev her dress. Phil tells Shirley not to show up for work tomorrow. She wonders if he is letting her have a lie-in? Phil replies that he is sacking her. Shirley tells him she doesn’t give a toss. Heather asks her why she has to ruin it? Shirley says it’s not ruined. It’s just a bit of curry. Heather asks her why she’s doing this? She stuck up for Shirley! Minty tells Heather to come on. Heather asks her what is going on? She just has to ask her, and she will stay with her. Shirley looks at Heather and cruelly says, “why would I want you to stay with me? I don’t even like you.” Heather cries as she walks away. Shirley begins to cry too.
Dot and Clare are chatting about the little drink accident. They notice Bradley having a good time. Clare tells Dot that Bradley deserves it as he’s such a lovely guy. Dot picks up that Clare might have feelings for Bradley. Clare tries to play it off. She plays right into Dot and says well, maybe. Dot is pleased and says that love is in the air.
Shirley gets home and realizes what she’s done to the dress. She trips and falls into the heater banging her head and passes out.