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Marcus preps a sullen Max before giving evidence in court. Max berates Marcus for attacking Abi after he told him not to. On the Square, Phil reminds Ben and Jay to say the bare minimum when they give evidence. Abi assures Ben she’ll be there to support him but Phil has other plans. In the café, Jane’s rattled when nosy Kim enquires about the trial. Lauren’s refusing to attend court - she’s done with Max. At the Butchers’, concerned Sonia offers to go alone but Carol insists she needs to hear what Max has to say. Carol’s surprised when Marcus arrives; he’s worried about calling Max to give evidence and asks Carol to help him show the court who Max really is. Carol objects nothing in his past could explain why Max killed Lucy.

Marcus remarks Max is acting like he deserves to be punished but Carol tells him to leave. As Jane coos over Louie, she ignores a phone call from Marcus, who leaves her an anxious voicemail. In court, Sharon’s surprised when Phil arrives without Abi. At the Butchers’, Abi tells Lauren Phil wouldn’t let her go as he’s worried Marcus will use her to connect the murder to Ben. Abi gushes over Louie, and wonders if Max loved them the same way when they were born - she can’t understand why he’s letting Marcus attack her. Guilty Jane sympathises and feels even worse when Abi commends her kindness. In court, Marcus questions Ben about his fingerprints on Lucy’s phone and purse and mentions Heather’s death. Marcus wonders if it was a coincidence that he’d just been released on the night Lucy was killed and is in a relationship with Abi. Phil shouts Marcus is attacking him through Ben and is told to leave. Sharon quickly ushers him out. Max angrily orders Marcus to leave Abi out of it. Max takes the stand; he explains he didn’t come forward about seeing Lucy on the night of her murder because he was ashamed of their affair, and refuses to incriminate Abi - she’s a kind, loving girl. Carol’s touched.

The prosecution insinuates Max lashed out in a fit of jealousy after Lucy dumped him. Max explodes - it wasn’t like that! Carol approaches Marcus - is it too late to help? In the Vic, Sharon warns Phil she only stood up for him because she didn’t want him arrested. DCI Marsden seeks out Phil after hearing about his outburst; she knows he’s hiding something, and warns if Max gets off she’ll be visiting. Sharon thanks Phil for not saying anything about Bobby. In court, Marcus questions Max about his relationships. Max says he only ever felt jealous about Tanya, and he didn’t love Lucy.

Max admits he’s been hit by partners but thinks he deserves it, often because he cheated. Marcus speculates that people confuse wanting sex with wanting love and wonders if Max felt loved as a child. Max chokes up and tearfully admits his father beat him but he never fought back, and confirms he was locked in a coffin overnight. Carol wells up as Max insists he didn’t kill Lucy. Later at home, Jane promises Sharon she’s not going to give evidence, but then ducks into the kitchen where Marcus is waiting to run through what she’s going to say in court. At the Butchers’, Carol tells Sonia she told Marcus about Max’s past and doesn’t think he’s a killer. She walks into the kitchen to find Robbie waiting with his son, Sami.

In the café, Kim’s intrigued when Ronnie gives Vincent the evil eye. He claims he doesn’t care. Dot frets that Charlie’s not responded to her messages and asks an awkward Roxy if she’s seen him. Roxy thinks Ronnie should talk to Dot – doesn’t she feel guilty? Ronnie says no. She ignores a call from Vincent and coos to Matthew they don’t need anyone. Ronnie tells Dot Charlie’s left Walford after an argument and asks her not to get involved.

Fatboy tells Dot everything. On Turpin Road, Ronnie’s outraged when Vincent blanks her. Vincent protests she’s been ignoring him but Ronnie’s furious he didn’t help her when she faced losing Matthew, and snaps at him to go back to his dumb wife. Vincent defends Kim and insists he didn’t get her voicemail - if he had he’d have dropped everything for Ronnie. Meanwhile, Dot’s on the phone to Charlie, ordering him to fight for his son.