EastEnders - 23/03/2010

With the police out hunting for Louise, Phil is determined to keep her at his side and tells the officers that he does not know the girl’s whereabouts. Shirley, having stumbled upon Louise in the Vic by mistake, is quick to see Phil’s game and warns him that, by defying the law in this matter, he could risk losing Louise altogether. Peggy is inclined to agree with Shirley and gives him the phone number to call. An emotional Phil explains to Louise that he will do everything in his power to get the girl back safely with him, and a resolved Louise walks away with the social worker, hand in hand. Jane and Ian, both unable to sleep, sit up drinking tea late into the night. Jane is unaware, though, that while she is happily reading about foetal development, Ian is researching the finer details of abortion. Ian and Lucy feel very guilty, in light of Jane’s kindness, as they head out to the abortion clinic together. A nervous Lucy is comforted by her father and the two bond over the uneasy experience. When Lucy goes in to see the doctor for a private chat, Ian is left to wonder whether the girl will go through with the procedure. After Lucy has decided that she definitely does want the abortion, she takes the first or two pills and Ian brings the girl home. Tucking his daughter into bed, Ian has promised that he will break the news to an unsuspecting Jane. Still fraught with anxiety over Stacey’s disappearance, Jean also cannot sleep and spends the night deep cleaning the kitchen. Mo is concerned when Jean heads out of the house, still in her slippers, to buy a mousetrap. After bumping into Max, Jean reprimands the grieving father for sending Bradley on the run. Despite Mo’s apologies on Jean’s behalf, Max is clearly wounded. Wanting to repair some bridges, Max goes to see Jean in the hope of helping her with mouse situation. Denise, trying to help her daughter bag a man, arranges with Lucas for Chelsea to go on a date with his assistant, Matthew. When Chelsea arrives at the Vic, she is disappointed to see that Matthew is less than traditionally handsome, as a grinning Shirley points her in the direction of the hopeful gentleman. Fortunately for Chelsea, Jack is on hand to scare the young man away and does so while the girl seeks refuge in the ladies. A thankful Chelsea enjoys a celebratory drink with Jack, who says he could never ignore a damsel in distress. Concluding that the mouse droppings are actually biscuit crumbs, Max calms Jean and the saddened pair settle into a heart-to-heart. Deciding that he will take a memento of Bradley, after Jean has suggested it might help, Max comes down the stairs with a bugs bunny mug. He sees Mo opening the front door to two police officers with some grave news for a Mrs Slater.