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It is a testing time for the residents of Albert Square as one family's world is shattered into pieces, and the residents struggle to come to terms with the devastating events.

A bloody and bruised Ben stumbles out of the police station and is met by a concerned Ian. Les finds a wrung-out Pam sat in Paul鈥檚 room and is shocked when she claims that she鈥檚 going to open her stall today. Pam is adamant that it鈥檒l be good for her to get out of the house. On the drive back from the station, Ben asks Ian to pull over on seeing Jay; Jay and Ben share a touching embrace.

At the Vic, Linda admits to Johnny that the murder of Paul has heightened her concern for him 鈥� there are hateful people out there. Johnny suggests that they do something for Paul in the Vic that evening; Linda thinks it鈥檚 a lovely idea. On the market, no-one鈥檚 sure how best to approach Pam. Donna reminds Pam that she doesn鈥檛 have to be here, but Pam refuses to acknowledge the conversation and continues to work. Donna takes out her phone and calls Claudette.

At Billy鈥檚, alone with Jay, Ben sobs in Jay鈥檚 arms. Claudette arrives at the Coker鈥檚 and embraces Les. Claudette reminds Les that her door is always open for him. Linda and Johnny find Pam on her stall and inform her that they plan to raise a glass to Paul at the Vic at 5 o鈥檆lock that evening. Claudette approaches and firmly tells Pam that she should be at home 鈥� Les needs her more than her customers. A teary Pam sobs that all she wanted was one normal day.

Louise heads to Billy鈥檚 and tells Ben that he needs to come home 鈥� the police are on their way over. Belinda finds a forlorn Pam in the playground, who offers to help Belinda with her market research for her salon. Belinda gently suggests that they head home for a cup of tea. At the Mitchell鈥檚, the police arrive. In Number 3C, Belinda starts her market research survey with a shaky Pam. Pam鈥檚 answer leads her to reminiscing about Paul 鈥� she relays how she鈥檇 always felt as though life wouldn鈥檛 be so cruel to take Paul from her as well as Lawrie. Pam sobs that it feels like a nightmare, but she can鈥檛 be woken up.

At the Mitchell鈥檚, DC Rice and DI McKay explain that they need to get every last detail from Ben. McKay presses that Ben has stated that he believes it was a random and unprovoked attack; Ben affirms that it was a mugging 鈥� he woke up down an alley with no phone or wallet. When McKay asks Ben why he didn鈥檛 mention in his statement that he and Paul were a couple, Ben snaps. Donna鈥檚 concerned when it transpires that Pam hasn鈥檛 made it home. Donna suggests calling her, but Les is insistent that she鈥檒l come back in her own time.

Alone in the kitchen with Ben, DC Rice reminds Ben that she needs to know he鈥檚 told her everything. Rice lays her cards on the table 鈥� Ben and Paul were a young, gay couple; they can鈥檛 rule out that they may have been targeted. Ben is adamant there鈥檚 nothing more to tell; Rice relents and leaves Ben with her business card, telling him to call if he thinks of any extra information. Belinda lends an ear as Pam struggles to accept that despite working in a funeral parlour for years, she has no idea how to deal with grief. Jay sits with Ben on Arthur鈥檚 bench, as Ben forlornly looks at a picture on his phone of him, Les, Pam and Paul. Ben explains to Jay that DC Rice thinks there鈥檚 something he鈥檚 holding back from his statement.

Johnny finds Ben and informs him that they鈥檒l be raising a glass in the Vic to Paul later if he fancies joining, but Ben declares he鈥檒l give it a miss. Pam returns home to Les who鈥檚 concerned at Pam鈥檚 state of mind. Pam tells Les that they鈥檙e raising a glass for Paul in the Vic 鈥� she thinks they should go. The Vic falls silent as Pam and Les enter. Pam addresses the pub and thanks everyone for coming. Mid Pam鈥檚 speech 鈥� Ben arrives. As Ben toasts to Paul, Pam spits at Ben that she knew he wasn鈥檛 good enough for Paul 鈥� she wishes it was Ben who had died. Johnny follows a crestfallen Ben outside and assures him that he can鈥檛 blame himself for what happened to Paul. A broken Ben admits to Johnny that he hasn鈥檛 told the police what really happened 鈥� he and Paul were the subject of a homophobic attack...

5 months left to watch

30 minutes

Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Ben Mitchell Harry Reid
Lee Carter Danny-Boy Hatchard
Johnny Carter Ted Reilly
Linda Carter Kellie Bright
Mick Carter Danny Dyer
Whitney Dean Shona McGarty
Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden
Billy Mitchell Perry Fenwick
Honey Mitchell Emma Barton
Roxy Mitchell Rita Simons
Louise Mitchell Tilly Keeper
Jay Brown Jamie Borthwick
Abi Branning Lorna Fitzgerald
Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa
Steven Beale Aaron Sidwell
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Kathy Sullivan Gillian Taylforth
Martin Fowler James Bye
Donna Yates Lisa Hammond
Claudette Hubbard Ellen Thomas
Les Coker Roger Sloman
Pam Coker Lin Blakley
Carmel Kazemi Bonnie Langford
Belinda Peacock Carli Norris
DC Angie Rice Martina Laird
DI Graeme McKay James Weber Brown
Executive Producer Sean O'Connor
Director David Moor
Writer Laura Poliakoff

Broadcast