Stacey Slater and Alfie Moon have dug a bigger hole for themselves in EastEnders, weaving a new lie as Kat searches for her husband.

Zoe Slater returned to the BBC soap last month after 20 years, but she’s been hiding a big secret, as it soon became apparent that she was running from something in her life.

Zoe had been staying with Stacey, avoiding her mother Kat, as whatever is going on in her life is something she wanted to keep from her parent.

Alfie became aware of Zoe’s whereabouts and, when she left Stacey’s and got on a plane to Barcelona, he vowed to get her back and reunite her with her family.

He kept this news from Kat, jetting off to Spain under the guise of going to Australia to visit his brother Spencer Moon.

Related: 7 reasons why EastEnders‘ Zoe Slater return week was a triumph

Alfie has been avoiding Kat, not answering her calls and leaving his wife worried over his well-being, putting Stacey in a difficult position as she is forced to choose between Zoe’s wishes and Kat’s worries.

Over two episodes tonight, Kat felt like she was getting to the bottom of what exactly is going on with Alfie – but unbeknownst to her, she was still no closer to finding out the truth, with Stacey and Alfie still pulling the wool over her eyes.

Kat was upset as Alfie avoided her calls, and she was enraged when she discovered son Tommy and Joel Marshall had stolen vapes from the Minute Mart.

She talked to Stacey about her worries, but Stacey said she hadn’t heard from Alfie when Kat pressed her.

Related: EastEnders‘ Michelle Ryan reveals “high stakes” night shoots for Zoe return plot

After Jean Slater accidentally revealed she had heard Stacey speaking to Alfie on the phone, Kat called Spencer and found out that Alfie was not in Australia, as he had previously said.

Kat headed to Stacey’s to face off with her about Alfie’s whereabouts, and she lied that he had gone to Spain to clear his head after having a cancer scare.

Kat immediately panicked that his prostate cancer had returned and he was dying, but Stacey assured her that he was fine and simply needed space.

Related: EastEnders star Michelle Ryan reveals why she agreed to Zoe Slater return

Stacey called Alfie to inform him of the lie he had told and urged him to speak to Kat in a bid to save his marriage.

Kat spoke to Alfie on the phone, who doubled down on the lie as Kat told him to sort his head out and get better, but as Stacey listened in, it was clear she felt guilty.

How long can they keep the ruse up before it all comes crashing down? And what exactly is going on with Zoe? We know the character returns to the soap again this summer, so there’s sure to be an explosive reunion between her and Kat.