LINDA Carter’s feud with Janine Butcher takes devastating proportions.
Both women butt heads again as the EastEnders villain is keeping another secret from Mick Carter. Get the lowdown.
1. Linda fights for her life
For several months, Janine Butcher (portrayed by Charlie Brooks) has remained determined to keep Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) close to her.
After pining over his affection and succeeding, the Walford villain finds herself competing for the Vic landlord with his estranged wife Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
She tried to bribe her in leaving Albert Square after stealing money from Mick and Linda’s daughter Nancy.
Linda soon discovered the truth and Janine is desperately trying to keep everything under wraps as she knows it could cost her her relationship with Mick.
This week, however, their rivalry comes to a head.
Knowing her rival is closing in on her, Janine makes plans with her daughter Scarlett to visit her sister, Clare, but her focus turns elsewhere.
Struggling to believe Mick won’t stray from her, she remains insecure especially since both her beau and Linda got along perfectly fine in previous scenes.
Meanwhile, Nancy (Maddy Hill) is getting ready for a change of scenery as she plans her and Linda’s trip to Watford, northwest of London.
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) reminds the latter she has every right to tell her daughter about the stolen money.
She then enjoys winding up Janine, revealing Linda plans to tell Nancy the truth, just as the mother-daughter duo set off.
But Linda has some explaining of her own to do as Nancy confronts her about almost leaving Albert Square.
Before Linda has a chance to say anything, Nancy storms off and goes back home, leaving a deflated Linda with a broken down car.
The former Vic landlady lets her old demons resurface and turns to alcohol.
Later on, Janine is on tenterhooks when Nancy storms back into the Vic, clearly upset.
Janine intercepts a call from a drunk Linda and willing to do anything to stop Linda from speaking to Mick, gets a taxi to Linda despite missing plans with Scarlett.
The car is fixed and Janine drives a drunk Linda and Annie home, pleading with her not to tell Mick the truth.
She appeals to Linda’s emotions by opening up about her own feelings… but tragedy strikes when Janine loses control of the car and crashes.
2. Sharon threatens Janine
As mentioned above, Sharon Watts enjoys winding Janine up and reminds her that she knows all about the stolen money.
But after the car crash, Sharon decides it may be time she told Mick the truth.
Coming up, in the car, Janine wakes up to Annie’s cries and soon realises the severity of Linda’s injuries, leading her to show her true colours.
Word of the crash gets back to Nancy, Mick and Shirley who all rush to the hospital.
Once there, they learn that Linda is in critical condition and is facing potential death.
While Linda has been stopped from telling Mick the truth about Janine, Sharon could be left to do the job for her.
Sharon looks after The Vic while Mick tends to his upset daughter Nancy.
Sharon realises that they still don’t know Janine has stolen money from Nancy and wonders if she should tell them.
Janine then learns from Kim Fox that Sam Mitchell has used the money she stole to buy Ruby’s.
Sharon isn’t one to back down and makes Janine panic when she says she’s still willing to tell Mick everything.
Later on, Sharon arrives at The Vic again and Janine desperately pleads with her one more time not to say anything.
Will Sharon go Janine’s way?
3. Ben has a panic attack
Meanwhile, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) is failing to recognise he has been raped.
He also continues to blame himself for the breakdown of his marriage to Callum Highway.
Coming up, Kheerat is concerned when Ben refuses to work at The Arches and with only Dotty to help, Jay offers to speak to a mechanic he knows.
In later scenes, Ben shows up for work and is put out to see Kheerat has hired another mechanic called Dave.
Ben is uncomfortable with Dave’s over familiarity so heads off for some fresh air.
While roaming around the Square, Ben spots Callum and Lewis talking and, spooked by their exchange, returns to The Arches, insisting Ben leaves.
Alone and unbeknownst to everyone else, Ben breaks down.
Later on, Ben wakes up after spending the night in The Arches and panics when he hears Dave slamming on the door for his wages.
Unaware that Ben is hiding inside, Jay sees the commotion and gives Dave what he is owed, much to Ben’s relief.
4. Kheerat gets worried
Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) grows increasingly concerned about Ben.
Although he doesn’t know Ben was raped, the businessman is aware that his behaviour is hiding a dark secret.
Following his state of panic, Kheerat arrives and is alarmed to see the state of Ben.
He then suggests that Ben may need to take some time off from work.
Will Ben follow Kheerat’s advice?
5. Kathy finds out the truth
The emotional weigh of his rape becomes too much to handle for Ben and he finally gets the support he deserves.
But Kheerat won’t be the one to learn his horrible experience as Ben is set to confide in his mother Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).
While Ben’s state continues to be a cause for concern for Kheerat, Kathy also worries for him.
With Ben on her mind, Kathy tries to fire Lewis from the Prince Albert but he warns her he could take legal action, so instead she gives him a warning.
Both Kheerat and Kathy eventually discuss their worries about Ben – which prompts Kathy to confront him once he arrives home.
Tensions between the two continue to grow and as Kathy puts the blame on Ben for what happened with Callum, the pain is too much for Ben to endure in silence.
The penny drops for Kathy – Lewis raped Ben.
A survivor of rape herself, Kathy still reels from her discovery and does all she can to support Ben.
Needing some space, he rushes out but later returns much to Kathy’s relief and they continue to talk about what happened.
Kathy has a heart-to-heart with Ben and encourages him to go to the police but Ben refuses.
Can she get him to change his mind?
