In the tense atmosphere of Walford, Linda Carter is finding it increasingly difficult to keep it together as
she faces one of the most challenging moments of her life. The pressure of the upcoming court case
against Dean is mounting, and Linda’s inner turmoil is becoming more apparent to those around her.
Despite her determination to be strong for her children, Ollie and Annie, Linda’s fears and anxieties are pushing her to the edge. As Linda prepares to meet the prosecution team later in the day, her mind is preoccupied with thoughts of her children. She wants to do right by them, to show them that she can stand up and fight, ensuring that Dean won’t see daylight for a long time. But as she tries to focus on her role in the case, she is hit with a new wave of fear—someone has gotten hold of her phone number. The implications are terrifying; they know where she lives, and Linda can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched.Her mother tries to reassure her, insisting that this is just another scare tactic, something she needs to push to the back of her mind. But Linda is struggling to keep her composure. The stress is taking its toll, and she begins to unravel, feeling more and more overwhelmed by the situation. The fear of being exposed as a liar is consuming her, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on the upcoming meeting.
As the moment to face the prosecution team draws closer, Linda’s panic reaches a breaking point. She tries to back out, insisting she can’t go through with it. Her mother, desperate to keep Linda focused, reminds her of what’s at stake—if Dean isn’t convicted, it’s Linda who will suffer the consequences. But Linda is beyond reason, and her fear of taking the stand is paralyzing.
In a desperate attempt to calm herself, Linda reaches for a bottle, but her mother quickly realizes what’s happening. The truth is revealed: Linda has been drinking again, unable to cope with the pressure in any other way. The revelation shocks everyone, especially when it becomes clear that Linda has been hiding her relapse. Her mother tries to downplay it, insisting that Linda is just stressed and that she will be fine when it’s time to take the stand. However, the solicitor handling the case isn’t convinced, and the situation becomes increasingly dire.
As the solicitor expresses concerns about Linda’s ability to testify, Linda’s mother tries to defend her, claiming that she’s in the process of helping Linda detox and that she won’t be drinking during the trial. But the damage is done—Linda’s credibility is now in question, and the entire case is at risk. The solicitor’s doubts grow, and the potential for Linda to ruin the case looms large.
Linda’s mother pleads with the solicitor to keep Linda on as a witness, arguing that her eyewitness testimony is crucial to convicting Dean. But the solicitor knows that putting Linda on the stand in her current state could jeopardize everything. The tension in the room is palpable, with everyone aware that the entire case could crumble if Linda isn’t able to pull herself together.
As Linda spirals deeper into her fear and despair, it becomes clear that her struggle with alcohol is far from over. The question now is whether she can find the strength to overcome her demons and stand up against Dean—or if her relapse will lead to her ultimate downfall, taking the entire case with her. The stakes have never been higher, and the outcome is anything but certain in Walford.