EastEnders - 24/02/2009

Patrick urges Lucas to confess to Denise and not to make the same mistake as he did with Yolande. He says he won’t let the wedding go ahead unless Lucas does so. As Patrick talks about his days in Notting Hill, he bristles as everyone questions him as to his involvement in the racial tensions. Later, Patrick again pushes Lucas to come clean to Denise. Feeling pressured, Lucas breaks and reveals the news clipping Chelsea gave him. Threateningly, he tells Patrick that if he wants his secret kept, then Patrick must keep quiet to Denise. Theo probes Chelsea about Patrick in the cafe. He talks of racial tensions in 1950s Notting Hill and of the race riots that ensued. Theo is irritated at Chelsea’s apathy, but knows he needs to keep her on side. Theo says that Patrick was living there at the time and he wants Chelsea to sound Patrick out for him. When Theo goes outside to take a call, Chelsea looks through his folder. She is stunned to see a news clipping entitled: “Negro charged with assault”, and a photo of a young Patrick. Suspicious of Theo’s agenda, she takes the clipping and leaves. Chelsea informs Lucas of what she’s discovered and gives him the clipping. On realising that Chelsea has taken the news clipping, Theo tricks her into coming to the Vic and presses her for the cutting. Chelsea tells him she’s given it to Lucas and wants to know what Theo’s motives are with Patrick. He tells her to get the clipping back for Patrick’s sake. Patrick gets a letter from Yolande’s solicitor. Denise cautiously questions him as to whether it’s a request for a divorce. Patrick is touchy and says he hasn’t opened it yet. Denise feels guilty at having upset him.