Â鶹Éç

In the Albert, badly beaten Vincent struggles to his feet. At Patrick’s house, Buster returns, claiming not to have seen Vincent. Kim pesters to know why Libby’s really back but they’re interrupted when Vincent staggers, cut and bleeding. Kim screams. Claudette whisks Vincent into the kitchen and forbids Kim from calling the police. Buster fetches a first aid kit and asks if Vincent saw who did it; he claims he was mugged and asks Buster to calm Kim down. Buster intercepts Kim as she picks up the phone to the police, suggesting perhaps the attack was provoked. Shirley’s immediately suspicious. Denise wants to salvage the party but Libby doesn’t feel like celebrating and returns her white gold bracelet from Kim and Vincent. Denise is furious that Vincent’s ruined the day; she doubts he was mugged and makes Kim consider next time it could be her or Pearl.

Buster pays Phil a visit at the Arches and wonders what Vincent did to deserve a beating. Phil asks why Buster didn’t help Vincent and Buster claims he’s not taking sides. Meanwhile, while Claudette tends to Vincent’s injuries, Denise and Shirley badmouth Vincent; Kim snaps he’ll take Buster down with him. Shirley interrogates Buster about the work he’s doing for Vincent and orders him to stay out of it - she doesn’t want anything stopping them getting custody of Jade. Meanwhile, Denise wants Vincent gone. Kim despairs she has no one without Vincent but Denise insists Pearl deserves a better father. Kim protests that Vincent’s changing but Denise and Patrick urge her to get rid of him. In the kitchen, Claudette twigs Phil’s responsible for Vincent’s injuries. Denise and Patrick declare Kim wants Vincent to go. Desperate, Vincent turns to Kim; he admits he wasn’t really mugged and but fibs it was a client. Kim knows he’s lying, holds the front door open and gives back Libby’s bracelet. Vincent gone, Kim begins to sob.

Denise finds Libby in the Square Gardens; Libby admits that seeing Vincent covered in blood brought back memories of Lucas. Denise apologises for the disastrous day. As Libby leaves for Oxford, she phones Chelsea - she couldn’t tell Denise… On Turpin Way, Shirley’s surprised when Buster and Phil greet each other civilly; Buster grins they’ve reached a new understanding. At Patrick’s, Denise and Patrick are comforting a heartbroken Kim when Vincent hammers on the door, shouting for Kim. Claudette drags Vincent away as he fumes that Phil is a dead man. Claudette chastises Vincent - if Phil finds out they’re on to him it could blow the whole thing. Claudette swears Phil will get what’s coming to him…

Dean’s fed up that Roxy failed to show for Libby’s party and claims he could have any woman he wants. Roxy’s sorry for losing her nerve and pulls him behind a market stall for a kiss; they break apart to find stunned Ronnie watching. Ronnie orders Dean away from Roxy and, back home, she explodes at Roxy - Dean raped Linda! Roxy apologises for not telling Ronnie and protests Dean’s innocence. Ronnie insists Roxy will have to live with people’s constant judging; she recalls what it was like when she was released from prison and wants to protect Roxy from that. Miserable Roxy phones Dean and breaks up with him, watched by Ronnie.

Pam suggests inviting Claudette round for supper, but Les thinks she won’t have time - she’s a busy woman. When Pam encounters Claudette outside the chippy and invites her over, Claudette apologises that she’s a busy woman; Pam pales to hear Claudette echo Les’ exact words. Back home, there’s no sign of Les; he’s at Claudette’s flat, having brought her a framed centenary party photograph. He starts to remove his clothes, but preoccupied Claudette stops him - not tonight -and orders Les home to his wife. Les exits, leaving his tie behind. Back home, Pam tentatively asks if there’s anything Les wants to tell her. When Les merely smiles that he loves her, Pam smashes the centenary photograph of her, Les and Claudette.