One of EastEnders’ most legendary families is about to be hit with some explosive and game-changing revelations next week – but they aren’t the only clan with huge events to deal with.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) has been surreptitiously hiding what he is up to from his relatives but Cindy (Michelle Collins) is onto him – and follows him to an address where the outcome leaves her gobsmacked.
It clearly will have a head-on impact on everyone else too, as Peter (Thomas Law) and Bobby (Clay Milner Russell) are shocked by what they discover.
In the aftermath, Cindy is struggling to cope, and it’s inevitable that this will lead her to make some more mistakes.
As for the Knight family, a horrific event is at the centre of their week when terrified Anna (Molly Rainford) is targeted in a spiking and hospitalised.
The attack leaves her isolated and vulnerable in emotive scenes – and Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) is there for her and persuades her to tell dad George (Colin Salmon).
But how will he respond?
Monday July 15
Ian prepares to leave for his alleged leadership course under the disapproving glare of Peter. Cindy’s suspicions are piqued when she looks at the contents of his suitcase, and later questions Kathy who she assumes is lying for her son.
Following Kathy’s advice, Cindy heads to Beale’s Eels to ask Ian if he’s having an affair but he reassures her he’s not. Later. Cindy makes another discovery that makes her think otherwise and she forces George to drive her to a mysterious address…
Lauren is nervous before her job interview, and matters are made worse when the bailiffs arrive demanding payment for an old credit debt.
Later, Lauren is surprised to find Louie playing football with Junior, Alfie and Tommy in the Square, but things get heated when Junior questions Louie’s academia and Lauren leaves.
Anna and Freddie playfully tease Bobby in The Vic after he attends puppy training with Tyson as the pair try and encourage him to be more assertive.
Having learnt where Cindy has disappeared to, Peter borrows Martin’s van to follow, but when he won’t tell Bobby what’s going on, Bobby secretly slips in the back of the van to find out for himself…
Elsewhere, Felix invites Gina, Anna and Freddie for a night out at the club.
Tuesday July 16
Drama continues for the Beales as Cindy and George confront Ian before Peter and Bobby arrive…
Gina probes Anna on whether Bobby is right for her as the pair get ready for their night out, but Anna insists Bobby is the man for her.
The group soon become concerned for Anna’s welfare when they suspect she may have been spiked, but when they look for her is nowhere to be seen…
Penny tries to reason with Lauren for shouting at Junior, and echoes his concern that Louie may be struggling at school.
A defensive Lauren soon softens after Kathy offers advice, and she later heads to The Vic to apologise. The pair share a drink, where Junior shares some words of encouragement.
Later, Lauren seizes an opportunity and asks Jay for a trial shift at the Car Lot which he accepts.
Wednesday July 17
At No.45, Cindy lays awake, exhausted by the events of the past two days. Later, she heads to speak to Ian, but it’s not smooth-sailing as Ian reveals another shocking truth. Cindy heads to The Vic for a drink where Peter arrives to console her.
Lauren discovers that Louie has been struggling at school and later comes to blows with Kathy after she wrongly assumes she is being insensitive about the diagnosis.
Later, Junior bumps into Lauren and the pair exchange numbers when Junior suggests he put her in contact with a friend of Xavier’s about Louie.
Peter intercepts the interaction, but having been away from Walford for two days, Lauren is in no mood for sarcasm and storms out taking Louie with her.
Anna wakes up in hospital having been spiked. Once back at The Vic, Gina tries to convince her to report the incident to the police, but she’s adamant she doesn’t want to.
Sensing Gina is overwhelmed with the situation, Freddie arrives to support Anna.
In the Laundrette, Yolande speaks to George and encourages him to show Elaine just how much he loves her. George makes a decision, and tells Elaine that they should start thinking about a date for their wedding…
Thursday July 18
Peter attempts to prove he’s there for Lauren and Louie, but she storms off when he accidentally offends her before her trial shift.
Peter heads to The Vic to makes amends with Junior. The pair share a pint before Peter heads off to collect Louie from school. Later in the café, Peter apologises to Lauren and asks to move in with her, but she asks for time to think.
George is outraged after Tommy is rude to Yolande outside the laundrette, and later reprimands him in The Vic in front of Kat. Kat tells Tommy he’s grounded and they leave.
Bobby is worried about his relationship with Anna due to the events of the past couple of days, but he soon pales when she reveals that she was spiked.
Bobby is supportive, but accidentally puts his foot in it, and Anna leaves. Freddie attempts to support both Bobby and Anna.
Later, Anna tells George about the spiking on Freddie’s advice.
