EastEnders - 10/09/2010

A broken Peggy surveys the burnt-out wreckage of her pub. At number 27, the Mitchells, reconvene. While a withdrawing Phil sleeps, Peggy advises them all to keep quiet about him to the police. Peggy visits Stacey in hospital. Anticipating that Peggy’s told the police about Archie’s murder, Stacey’s shocked when Peggy instead asks her to claim responsibility for the fire. Stacey refuses, insisting that Lily needs her. With Stacey’s maternal instincts having struck a chord, Peggy’s left reassessing her situation. Entering the burnt-out shell of the Vic, she’s haunted by the ghosts of her past. She tells Billy she’s leaving Walford to make a fresh start and she’s taking Phil with her to get him clean. Peggy breaks the news of her departure to a stunned Ronnie and Roxy. Upset by the news, Ronnie reveals that Peggy can’t leave; she’s pregnant. Peggy assures Ronnie that she’ll be fine. Having seen the Vic, Phil’s wracked with guilt. Insisting that she’s responsible for what he’s become, Peggy vows to take Phil away and make him better. Phil’s unconvinced, claiming that Peggy’s been suffocating him for years. Recognising that she’s the problem, Peggy resigns herself to leaving alone. Peggy bids her final emotional farewells to the rest of the family. As she prepares to leave, Phil appears, imploring her not to go. Determined, Peggy claims she’s going for his sake. A tearful Peggy pauses outside the Vic before walking out of Walford. Janine showers Ryan with praise for his heroism, but Ryan’s still shell-shocked by Stacey’s revelation. Ahead of his departure on honeymoon, he visits Stacey. Challenging her reasons for telling him now, Ryan struggles to accept that he’s Lily’s father. Unable to handle the situation, Ryan leaves to rejoin Janine for their honeymoon.