It’s set to be a week of high emotions and bitter showdowns in EastEnders as the residents of Walford prepare to say goodbye to Martin Fowler (James Bye) next week.
Forthcoming scenes will see the beloved fruit and veg trader laid to rest after he perished in the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion in February.
Martin’s struggling ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has been absent from the Square in recent weeks, having reunited secretly with Martin in his final moments and made plans to remarry.
On Monday, Stacey is in a bad way as she returns home, which is the catalyst for more rows and tension with her daughter Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) and Martin’s partner Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).
The week begins with an unravelling Stacey rolling home drunk, much to the fury of Lily, who has been trying to support her grieving younger siblings.
‘She feels terrible but all she wants to do is escape how she’s feeling so she’s drinking to forget, explains Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey. ‘Poor Lily ends up stepping up to look after her brothers and sister, which makes her really angry with Stacey.’
Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) steps up to try to help Stacey sober up but is dismayed when Stacey tells her that she can’t face the funeral.
After Martin’s loved ones gather to say their final goodbyes during the emotionally-charged service, Ruby’s anger and resentment towards Stacey builds.
At the wake, emotions bubble over and there is later an explosive showdown between the two women at the allotment.
During the row, there are revelations that could destroy any hope of peace between them.
Meanwhile, Lily hits the bottle with encouragement from Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James). When Stacey then finds her drunk, she tries to make amends with her daughter, but her efforts are in vain.
Later, Stacey is horrified to discover Martin’s stall has been set on fire and launches a hunt to find out who is responsible for the cruel act.
While Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) warns her to leave it to the police, she’s soon convinced she has all the evidence she needs to confront the person she suspects is the culprit.
As tensions reach boiling point, Ruby makes the huge decision to leave Walford, believing the situation between her and Stacey becomes intolerable.
‘It’s such an awkward situation,’ Lacey says. ‘Stacey has tried to keep the truth from Ruby, so she doesn’t get hurt, but it’s hard not to feel resentful of her.
‘Any little thing can lead to an argument.’
Stacey’s mum Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) advises her to stop fighting and start healing, but when Stacey goes to find Ruby to talk, Zack Hudson (James Farrar) reveals that she’s already left…
Will the two women miss their chance to finally find some closure between them?
