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Dean is left furious after a shocking development. Shirley's secret may finally be revealed to Mick. Lee has a unique plan to help Liam and to help himself at the same time.

Dean鈥檚 horrified to find Blades has been broken into and the weed gone. Aunt Babe stops him going after Shirley - she鈥檒l deal with her. Later, the Carters are surprised to find Aunt Babe busy in the Vic kitchen, claiming she鈥檚 changed her mind about Mick鈥檚 job offer and is cooking dishes for the new menu. Tina鈥檚 still moping that Tosh won鈥檛 talk to her. Shirley arrives at Blades, tells an outraged Dean she took the weed for his sake, and asks him to attend the family dinner. Later, Tosh goes to the park in response to a text from Tina, and is surprised to find Aunt Babe waiting. Babe remarks she knew a lot of stubborn, lonely women like Tosh in the merchant navy, but knows Tosh loves Tina and invites her to the family meal. Tina鈥檚 delighted when Tosh arrives for dinner. Tosh hugs Tina but insists Tina must never deceive her again. Babe is surprised that Shirley鈥檚 not run; Shirley insists if Babe is going to tell Mick the truth she wants to be there. When Dean arrives, Shirley suddenly falters. She鈥檚 about to bolt when Aunt Babe reveals she has an announcement to make after pudding. In the kitchen, Shirley pleads with Babe, protesting she was protecting Dean like Babe taught her 鈥� she鈥檚 the only real mum she ever had. Babe admits she knows it broke Shirley鈥檚 heart to give up Mick, but thinks Shirley wouldn鈥檛 have known how to mother him. Shirley pleads Babe鈥檚 the only person who knows what she鈥檚 been through, but Babe remains unmoved. Back at the table, Tosh asks Tina what happened to their mum. Babe says she hasn鈥檛 heard from Sylvie for years. Babe makes her announcement; to Shirley鈥檚 relief, she merely thanks the Carters for welcoming her after she鈥檚 lived alone for so long. Later, Dean thinks that Babe鈥檚 let Shirley get away with it. Aunt Babe defends Shirley. Later, Nancy鈥檚 amused that Lee stole Aunt Babe鈥檚 trifle. Babe recalls Mick once stole a Christmas cake and got back at him by making him his own special cakes which kept him running to the toilet - revenge is something to be savoured. Later, Aunt Babe arrives home. Pouring a bottle of bitter into two half glasses, she calls into the living room that Lady Di sends her love 鈥� Aunt Babe doesn鈥檛 live alone after all鈥� C/H

Carol wakes in hospital, groggy and sore. At the Butchers鈥�, Charlie treats the family to a pancake breakfast. Liam reveals he鈥檚 getting a caution from the police for possession. Bianca鈥檚 grateful that Charlie鈥檚 paid off her debt. Dot plans to visit Carol later, to Charlie鈥檚 alarm. In hospital, Carol informs the girls the operation was a success. Bianca informs her Charlie鈥檚 taking care of the family. At the Butchers鈥�, Liam鈥檚 frustrated when he burns dinner. Charlie tells Dot he won鈥檛 be able to attend her centenary memorial, lying he has to go away for work. In hospital, the chaplain calls to see Carol. Carol seeks his advice on lying; he makes Carol consider that people often lie to be kind. Meanwhile, Charlie鈥檚 helped Liam make the family dinner. Tiffany asks Charlie to take Carol her trifle. In hospital, Dot tells Carol that Charlie鈥檚 been pulling the family together but is going away for work. Carol鈥檚 surprised to see Charlie, who insists he wanted to be there for Dot. Carol makes a decision and tells Charlie her family clearly love him - it would be a shame if he had to go away. Relieved, Charlie thinks he can stick around after all.

Sharon insists on cooking a family meal and tells Roxy to invite Aleks, claiming she鈥檚 grateful for everyone鈥檚 support. Over dinner, Phil鈥檚 pleased when Sharon chats brightly about the wedding plans. After dinner, Phil moves in for a kiss. Sharon stiffens, and suggests waiting until their wedding night. When Phil鈥檚 worried that she鈥檚 still too fragile, Sharon grits her teeth and leads him upstairs.

Lee鈥檚 worried that he鈥檚 done something wrong after Whitney failed to meet him. Whitney explains her family need her after Carol鈥檚 operation. In the Square gardens, Liam鈥檚 despairing that he鈥檚 burned the family鈥檚 dinner; Whitney鈥檚 touched to overhear Lee advising him that if you love someone, you do whatever it takes to makes amends. Liam鈥檚 delighted when Lee calls round with a trifle nicked from Aunt Babe for him to pass off on his own. Whitney agrees they can try again but must keep it a secret.

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30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

  • Little Dragon

    Paris

  • Fusion & Nooran Laal & Kam Frantic

    Deewani

  • Baljit Malwa

    Een Teri

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Director Audrey Cooke
Writer Pete Lawson
Stan Carter Timothy West
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Babe Smith Annette Badland
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Dean Wicks Matt Di Angelo
Shirley Carter Linda Henry
Tina Carter Luisa Bradshaw-White
Fiona 'Tosh' Mackintosh Rebecca Scroggs
Lee Carter Danny-Boy Hatchard
Nancy Carter Maddy Hill
Whitney Dean Shona McGarty
Liam Butcher James Forde
Bianca Butcher Patsy Palmer
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Sonia Fowler Natalie Cassidy
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Sharon Rickman Letitia Dean
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Aleks Shirovs Kristian Kiehling
Charlie Cotton Declan Bennett
Dot Branning June Brown
Rebecca Fowler Jasmine Armfield
Dennis Rickman Harry Hickles
Tiffany Butcher Maisie Smith
Reverend Chris Skinner Mark Letheren

Broadcasts