Shirley sits in front of the mirror, feeling her lump. She hugs herself tight and begins to cry.
Minty gets a text and laughs. Minty tells Garry that Gus has said Garry was so ratched last night that he was all over Jane Bealle! Garry said he heard no complaints. Minty says, “let’s phone her up and see!” Garry runs at him, telling him not to. Garry pulls the phone out of Minty’s hand. Heather comes in and says that Shirley’s phone must be off as it was ringing before, and now it goes straight to voicemail. Minty replies that her battery might be flat.

Heather says that Shirley is probably too angry to talk to her. Garry says she’s probably messing with her cauldron. Minty says Heather should just let it lie for a few days. Heather says mates don’t turn their backs on one another. Garry tells Minty to try not to understand it as the Slater sisters would fight like cows and the next thing they were doing each other’s makeup. Heather says she’s not sure she and Shirley are going to make up so easily this time. Minty’s phone rings, and it’s Marni. She wants to see them today.
Ian has Peter training for a big race. He’s rigid, and Peter is not really into it. But Peter keeps going.
Ben is humming a song from the Sound of Music as he and Phil walk to breakfast. Jay comes running after them. He asks for a tenpenny. Phil asks Jay if Ben looks like a bank? Ben hands it over as he continues to hum. Jay says he’s a bit chirpy this morning. Ben explains that it’s from the Sound of Music. Ben asks Jay if he has heard of it? Jay asks him if he looks like Billy Elliot? Ben says that Julie Andrews is brilliant, and he loves her. Jay says boxing is his thing. He tells them there is a boxing competition down at the community center. Jay says no one stands a chance against him. Phil mentions that Ben’s granddad was a boxer, they called him Flash Eric. Jay says he should try it out as it might run in the family. Ben says it sounds boring. Phil sends Ben along to get them a table.
Phil walks up to Heather as she’s looking on her phone.
Sean calls Tanya telling her he misses her. She and Sean carry on romantic banter about how much they care for one another, and Max walks in the room as Sean is telling Tanya he should be laying next to her. She tells him she must go. Max is behind Tanya rubbing her shoulders. Max says that she is tense. He asks her who she was talking to? She tells him it was just Jane. She shrugs his hands off and moves along.
Lucy is whinging about the milk she must drink. She looks at Peter’s full-on breakfast and complains that he’s the golden boy. Peter says that Dad says he has Olympic potential, and it must be nurtured. Ian says she would have potential, too, if she was not determined to get herself in trouble. Ian tells Jane while he’s thinking about it, Peter and Lucy can’t be left on their own while they are away. Jane says that if he’s that bothered, then Christian can look after them. She reminds Christian that he was just saying how he wanted to spend more time with the family. Christian says he can take them to the theme park as he loves watching tourists toss it after riding one ride too many. Peter is thrilled, and Lucy is only half enthused. Ian tells Jane he’d like to have a little dress rehearsal for meeting the Queen. He practices his smile, and they tell him he looks like the Joker, or he’s constipated. Jane tells Ian just to relax and act natural. Ian adjusts his trousers, saying they feel a bit lose. Maybe he’s lost weight, he says. He bends over, just as Bobby is coming down the stairs. His pants rip, and everyone laughs. Bobby heads back up the stairs. Lucy sees the look on Ian’s face and stops laughing.
Shirley has told Heather what happened the night before. Heather worries after her and tries to help. Shirley tells her to go on as Heather was quick to run when Minty clicked his fingers the night before. Heather tells Shirley she’s here now. Heather says she thought near-death experiences changed people for the better. Shirley tells her Heather’s cleared her conscious and she has better things to do. She tosses her bridesmaid dress at Heather and tells her to take it with her.
Ian comes down, looking at Lucy, declaring he thought she’d grown out of stupid stunts like this. She says it must have been Bobby. Ian can’t believe she’s blaming Bobby! She says he must have done it when her back was turned. She tells Ian maybe she shouldn’t have been watching him on her own. Ian is fuming and says he’ll have to go get another suit. Christian remarks Ian would be doing himself a favor as that suit was not doing him any favors. Ian throws a tantrum about how important this visit is, and its to be one of the proudest moments of his life. Jane sticks up for Lucy, declaring she wouldn’t have done it as Lucy knows it’s important to him. Ian scowls while looking at Lucy and says, “Exactly!”
Shirley walks to the general surgery and goes in.
Max collects the mail. Abi runs through and says, “thanks, mum.” Max looks at her as she runs past and says, good morning. He finds an envelope from the solicitor and takes it out of the pile of mail. He folds it and puts it in his pocket. He walks back to the kitchen, where Tanya is dabbing her powder on. He touches the kettle and makes himself some tea. He asks what’s wrong with madam this morning? Tanya replies that she was up late looking after Marge. Tanya says she has told Abi she’ll take her to the vet later.
Max says they should phone their solicitors and put the divorce on hold. Tanya protests, and Max wonders if she’s changed her mind? Tanya tells him, no, but she doesn’t want to get her, or the kids hope up. She tells him she can’t go through this again. He tells her neither can he. He’s one hundred percent committed, he tells her. The only question is she?
Peter and Lucy meet up with Lauren. Lucy is in a foul mood. Lauren asks whats wrong. Peter says that Lucy is in trouble again. Lucy says she’s so sick of those two acting like she’s the evil twin. She tells Lauren she’s going to teach her Dad a lesson.
Phil opens the door to Shirley. Phil is surprised to see her. She tells Phil it would take more than that given the number of times she’s crashed out from drinking. She expects the punters have been missing her sparkle behind the bar. She wonders if he will give her a shift. Phil asks her if she’s forgotten what happened the night before? She asks about him sacking her? She wonders if he can just give her a shift anyway. Phil says she drinks too much, only shows up when she feels like it and all. Shirley wonders if Phil is flipping Mother Theresa? Shirley leaves, and Phil asks why? She says it’s amazing how many are suddenly concerned about her welfare!
Sean stops at Stacey’s market stall. He grabs a skirt and teases it’s all Paris Hilton chic. Stacey grabs it and replies that it is coming from the bloke who got dressed in the dark this morning! Max and Tanya walk by them with Max having his arm around Tanya. Stacey tells Sean it will get easier. Sean says, “come on Stacey I was hardly in love with her. We had a fling is all.” Sean tells Stacey he doesn’t need a pity party.
Max is holding Oscar in the caff. Ian stops to chat, asking if Oscar is going to be like a chip off the old block? Max says he hopes so. Ian replies, yeah, he’ll be breaking hearts all over the square. Max says he and Tanya have sorted everything. Besides, says Max, at least he’s brave enough to admit when he’s tempted, unlike Ian. Ian turns away. Jane and Tanya talk about how great Max has been. Jane invites Tanya over for a proper catch up on Thursday. Tanya calls out to Max that they’ll be going to Ian and Jane’s on Thursday. Ian says that will be great, and says to invite Jack along as well. It’s not what Jane had actually meant, though, but she goes along with it. Tanya says that it will be great getting all the movers and shakers together.
Heather is cleaning the dress. She tells Minty that Shirley isn’t as tough as she says she is. Minty says that it doesn’t matter now as he needs Heather’s help to convince Marni that they deserve to win this competition.
Shirley is reviewing the paper from the general surgery when her landlord busts in. She wonders what the hell he’s doing there? He waves the keys at her. Shirley wonders if he does this all the time? She tells him he probably comes in and rummages through her drawers. He tells her he has forgotten that this isn’t a bad little flat. Shirley wonders what he is up to? He tells her he was caught in a compromising position, and his missus kicked him out. He needs a place to lay low while she calms down. Shirley tells him this is a bad time for her. He reminds her that he kicked her out, and Heather is on the lease, not Shirley. She protests and begs for a couple of weeks. He tells her not a chance, and he wants her out now!
Tanya is cleaning in the kitchen. Max says it’s defeating the point of them being off together. She reminds him she still needs to take Marge to the vet. Max offers that they could knock Thursday night in the head. Tanya says no way! Miss the good conversation and good wine? It will be fun! Meanwhile, Ian says it will be as much fun as sticking your head in a bucket of ice. Jane says she knows that as she doesn’t want to play a happy couple with Walford’s answer to Cassanova either! Ian asks why she didn’t say something?
Phil drags out a box of memorabilia and looks over news clippings and a trophy from Eric’s boxing days.
Marni lets Heather and Minty know that Donna has skipped off with her fiance’s brother, and they are moved up and still in a good place for the competition! Heather starts to cry (while pretending to be Hazel) about Shirley not being her bridesmaid. Shirley comes in, and Marni and “Hazel” lookup. Heather says, “Shirley!” Marni responds, ” So you’re the bridesmaid!” Shirley says she is indeed. Shirley tells them that since Hazel is in this competition to win it, she’s decided to move in and give her all the help she needs! Minty looks none too pleased.
Sean grabs Tanya by the arm and asks her if she’s pleased with the little show she put on earlier convincing everyone she and Max are back together? Tanya tells him that is what they want, isn’t it? Sean is coming unglued about it all. Tanya says that it is not easy for her either. Sean says everyone is looking at him like a piece of rough she used to get back at Max. Sean does believe that. He begs her to just run off with him now! She tells him to grow up as there is too much at stake here for her and the kids and him. She tells him that if he cares about her, then he’ll hold on.
Minty corners Shirley and tells her that she is not staying there! She tells him that he better be careful as she can go in there and tell Marni everything she knows. Minty says he is not sure how Heather ended up with such a sorry mate! Shirley says she has no choice at the moment. “Hazel” calls out to make sure everything is alright. Shirley tells Minty that when she came in and saw Heather’s face, she knew she needed her. Shirley tells him if Heather does, then so does he! Marni has one more competition test. They’ll be taking the Love Test! Whoever wins will win the competition! Minty is not pleased.
Phil is showing Ben his grandad’s trophy and telling him how he won it. Ben wonders why boxers have those funny names? Phil explains and says his Dad took great pride in this trophy. Ben asks if ever won another? Phil tells him no. Phil tells him about his good memories of his Dad and boxing. Jay comes in and joins them. Jay continues to boast about being the next one to win the trophy. Phil says he’s pretty confident, isn’t he?? Jay tells him he is the clear winner of all the names up there. Phil says that maybe Ben could give him a run for it. Phil tells Ben he could help him train, and maybe he’ll be polishing his own trophy one-day making memories with his kids. Ben reluctantly agrees. Phil writes Ben’s name on the list as “Bad Boy Ben Mitchell.” Ben shakes his head.
Garry is under a car when he sees Minty come in. Minty tells him he reckoned he better come tell his news to him in person. Minty tells Garry that Shirley has moved in.
Ian and Jane enter their house, discussing the night in with Max and Tanya. Jane tells Ian she meant for it to be a girl’s night in. Jane tells Ian he can use the time to boast about his invitation to meet the Queen. They overhear “ouch that really hurts! You better finish before my Dad comes in.” Ian and Jane bust in, and Lauren is attempting to pierce Lucy’s bellybutton. Ian wonders if this is some sort of initiation ceremony? Lucy says, “don’t worry dad, it’s just a piercing!”
Heather reviews Minty’s list. Shirley helps her out. Heather says that she is never going to remember this stuff? Garry and Minty come in. Shirley bribes them with possible tickets to a match with West Ham.
Abi is upset that Marge is so sick. Lauren says she wishes they’d put her down if she is so sick. Max and Tanya tell Lauren that it is not nice. Abi tells Marge she’ll never let that happen. Max tries to calm her down. Tanya is moved by Max’s kindness.
Lucy is on the sofa. Ian comes in with all the things out of Lucy’s and bags them up. Lucy begs Jane to help. Jane tells her what she did was really stupid. Lucy says that the house is like a prison. She runs out, and Ian chases after. He drags her back home, all the while Lucy is screaming for him to get off of her. The whole square is a witness to the incident.
Heather continues to practice Minty’s facts. Shirley tells her she told her she could do it. Heather says she is happy Shirley’s moved in. Shirley says she didn’t have much choice with Stormin’ Norman tossing her out. Shirley laughs and tells Heather the kippers they had in the back of the freezer are now defrosting under his mattress. Heather laughs and says she’s so mean. Heather tells Shirley she’s really sorry about the other night. Shirley says it’s not the first. Heather says Shirley’s always been there for her. Heather says maybe all this is fate. Shirley doesn’t buy into it. Heather tells her it’s just life, maybe no matter how hard you try, some things are just destined to happen.
Ian lays into Lucy and tells her if she pulls a stunt like that again, he’ll! Lucy just stares him down. Lucy goes to sit on the sofa. Peter asks her why she is like that? Why does she always ruin things?
Max is holding Oscar and telling him about the future one day down by the sea. Tanya observes the tender moment and tells him that he’s a good dad. He tells her he is just trying to be a good dad and a good husband. He hands her the letter from the solicitors he hid. She tells him it says that the divorce hearing has been postponed. Max says maybe it’s a good thing as they really don’t want to put the kids through all that do they? Tanya says no. She asks him about the shares, and he tells her he’s getting it taken care of. She tells him that she’ll call Harriet in the morning and tell her the divorce is off.
Shirley is starting at the paperwork again. She picks up her lighter and burns the paper.