New EastEnders pictures show Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) in quite the predicament as she faces three dodgy fellas on some wasteland.
The character has had quite a tough time of late – she became hooked on drugs during her pregnancy, after mother-in-law from hell Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) began supplying her.
After giving birth to son Jimmy, Lauren was terrified that her abuse would have harmed the child.
Unfortunately, in scenes that aired last week, her worst fears were confirmed as the youngster received a visual impairment diagnosis.
Her relationship with fiancé Peter Beale (Thomas Law) has become increasingly fractured as they navigate their new way of life with Jimmy.
In upcoming scenes we’ll see him wonder how to bond with his newborn, while Lauren is overwhelmed by the number of locals who are keen to wish her well.
Cindy and Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) put their issues to one side in a bid to help the couple, but things spiral when Peter admits that he blames Lauren and her addiction for Jimmy’s health.
A mortified Lauren then charges from The Vic to Harry’s Barn, desperate for a drink. Neither Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) or Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) will allow her to relapse, so she heads elsewhere for the evening.
When she attempts to explain herself, Peter refuses to hear her out and takes Jimmy to his doctor’s appointment alone.
Feeling inspired after meeting another blind child, he returns home to make amends but is furious to find that Lauren almost relapsed.
Now, new pictures have shown that things are about to get a lot worse for the struggling mum.
Both Jacqueline and Thomas can be seen filming with Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, outside of an abandoned building.
She’s carrying a large holdall, while a male acquaintance – played by Netflix actor Pierre Moullier – is holding a similar blue bag. Wearing a brown tracksuit, he has a rucksack on his back and another over his shoulder.
Who is the mystery man, and how is he connected to Lauren? Could he be her younger brother Oscar, having returned alongside their dad Max Branning (Jake Wood)?
Peter can be seen sitting in a van with the lad, before the group rush over towards three ne’er-do-wellers.
They’re also wearing tracksuits, and are holding bags, with one of them carrying a cricket bat down the front of his trousers.
Lauren can be seen shouting at Peter, as she seems to try and bargain with the gang.
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As the situation escalates, the weapon is brought out and they’re threatened. Ian darts towards the van and encourages the driver to get away from the situation as quickly as possible.
With the vehicle speeding off, the thugs wave the cricket bat in their direction.
Could Lauren have got herself on the wrong side of drug dealers? What do the holdall bags contain?
As EastEnders films roughly two months in advance, it could be a while before we see these scenes play out on screen.
