Tanya calls out for the girls as she awakes to a mess from the party the night before. She realizes she has no idea where her kids are.
Ronnie looks out the window for any sign of Roxy. She calls her again and leaves her another voicemail.
Tanya yells at Sean. She can’t believe he just let Max walk out with the kids. Sean replies that he was a little busy holding her up. Sean yells at her that she was fine until Max appeared. Obviously, he’s still pressing her buttons. She gives Sean a sharp look and asks him if he shouldn’t be going home now? Sean tells her not to worry as it’s too late for keeping up appearances. She tells him she didn’t want the girls to know about them just yet. He asks her if she is having a laugh as half the square knows after last night. She whispers, this is a nightmare. Sean asks if she is ashamed to be seen with him? She doesn’t respond, and he yells at her that he asked her a question. She tells him she’s sorry, but she doesn’t have time to massage his ego right now!
Zainab calls out to everyone to come to start cleaning. Shabnam pushes the rest of them out the door. Keith protest that his program is starting soon. Shabnam warns him that her mum cleaning is comparable to the movie Hellraiser! Keith runs on with them all. Zainab calls out and then calls them deserters. She says that they would have only held her back anyway. It’s just her and the dog, and then he Ghengis breaks a plate, and she says it’s just her.
Abi asks Max if her mum is okay? He tells Abi she’s okay. Abi is worried about her mum being on her own. Lauren whispers that she’s not on her own, though. Abi questions Lauren and Max quickly change the subject. Max tells the girls it’s okay if their mum likes a bit of a drink every now and again. It doesn’t matter what people say. Lauren catches on and asks him what he means about what everyone has been saying? Max says it doesn’t matter; he just doesn’t want them to take notice or get upset. Abi asks if her mum is an alcoholic? Max says, of course not! She just likes a bit of a drink now and again. Lauren says she hates this. Max apologizes and says he shouldn’t have said anything. Jack is standing in the doorway, and Max looks at him.
Ronnie is on the phone, calling to check the hospital for Roxy. They tell her they don’t have anyone by that name.
Tanya pounds on Max’s door. He opens it up, and she tells him she wants her kids back. Max yells at her that she is a mess. She should go home and clean herself up and come back then. Tanya yells at Max that she needs eyes in the back of her head because of the snake he is. She tells him she went mad when she couldn’t find the kids. He tells Tanya it took her long enough to notice they were gone! Max twist it all around and tells her it’s no wonder the girls want nothing to do with her. She tells Max he is not going to make her out to be the bad guy! He tells her he doesn’t have to do that as she’s doing it all on her own. Max slams the door, and Tanya tries to keep it open. She pounds on the door as Jane looks on from across the square. Max signs on the other side of the door.
Dawn and Keith are shopping at the Minut Mart. She is telling him about Jase losing his job and hinting that they need a place to kip as they have to be out of the flat by the end of the week. Keith tells her that bad things happen to bad people, and she should steer clear of him. Dawn tells him to watch it as he’s slagging off her boyfriend. Keith tells her he can’t take them in as he already has Zainab and her crew living there. Keith tells Dawn he can’t afford to feed two more mouths. Dawn tells him he doesn’t pay for the mouths that are there now, either! Keith knows she is right.
Clare calls Ian and tells him she wants to apologize for the night before. She thought they were really getting somewhere and hopes he’ll let her make it up to him. Ian sits on the other end like a lost puppy dog.
Peggy and Patrick discuss Tanya’s performance the night before. Zainab asks him if he has any industrial-strength bleach? Patrick says he’ll go and check. Peggy continues on that she feels most sorry for the girls. She isn’t sure what is going on with this generation and what it’s coming to. Zainab looks confused. Peggy tells her, “Tanya Branning. You should have seen her last night!” Peggy clicks her tongue in disgust at the thought of what Tanya did last night. Meanwhile, Tanya is walking through the square visibly upset.
Roxy pulls up as Ronnie brings the trash to the bin. Ronnie yells at her, “Oi, where have you been you selfish cow? Not a word all night?” Roxy walks past her and tells her to ask her psycho ex.
Ian spies Jase and asks him if he’s found somewhere else yet? Jase reminds Ian he has rights. Ian tells him solicitors are expensive. Jase tells him he can’t throw him out. Ian says he’ll call the police. Ian tells Jase it’s not personal; it’s just business. He tells him he didn’t pay his rent. Ian reminds him that if you pay your rent, you don’t lose the flat. He didn’t pay his rent, so he loses the flat. Keith overhears and offers some advice to Jase. He tells him to swallow his pride and appeal to Ian’s softer nature. Keith tells him he doesn’t have much choice at this point.
Ian is serving in the cafe. Christian tells Ian that he has a few alterations to the flat before he moves in. He hands the list to Ian, and Ian isn’t having it!
Roxy is sitting in the kitchen, crying as she details the events of the night before. She tells Ronnie that Jack dumped her miles away, in the dark, with no money and no phone. She says she hitched and walked all the way home. Ronnie doesn’t believe her. Roxy tells her he did, and he’s cracked.
Jase, Jay, and Dawn are packing up their belongings. Jay is angry that they have to move. Jase tells him they have no choice. Dawn offers that they can come live with her. She knows it will be a bit cozy, but it could work. Jay isn’t having it. Jase tells Dawn he appreciates it, but he’s got to clean up his own mess.
Jane comes to check on Tanya. Tanya comments that she made a big spectacle of herself last night. Jane first tells her it was not that bad, then corrects herself that it was not her finest hour. Tanya tells Jane now the girls know about Sean and all. Jane says she was a bit surprised herself. Tanya says she’s getting it from all sides today, isn’t she? Tanya reminds Jane she hasn’t taken a vow of celibacy. Jane again says that Sean is a bit of a loose cannon, isn’t he? Tanya says Sean, she and Max have all had a go. And then Max sneaks her kids out of the house without her knowing! Jane says she was right out of it, virtually paralytic, and she’d only had a few drinks. Tanya starts to realize what has happened. She says that Max has been lording this overhear head all day. He’s not going to get away with this she tells Jane. She rings Max on the cellphone.
Ian rings Clare’s doorbell. She primps inside before opening the doorbell. She answers the door dressed up, buttons open too far, and makeup was done up. Ian tells her he didn’t realize she was going out, and he can come back later. She tells him not to be silly, and this time there will be no interruptions. She pulls him inside.
Ronnie knocks at Jack’s door. He opens it, and she marches in. He tells her, “be my guest.”
Ian tells Clare it’s very nice of her to do this. She tells him a job worth doing is a job worth doing well. She tells him she learned that from him. Clare asks him not to tell Dot she used her best silver. She is reading the Posh Imposters Guide to Hosting to cover her lie about knowing how to do silver service. She covers the book back up. She turns to Ian and tells him that his patron should feel like the most important person in the world. It’s your duty to make their experience as pleasurable as possible. She bends over as she offers Ian a role, putting her cleavage in his view. Ian looks extremely nervous.
Jack tells Ronnie she must remember that he is the injured party here. Jack tells Ronnie he could have gotten Roxy locked up, but he didn’t. Ronnie tells him he’s such a hero. He tells her he was thinking of her. Ronnie tells him, “like I said…” Jack tells Ronnie that she knows better than anyone what Roxy can be like. She banged on to him about it enough. She’s my sister. Sooner or later, she’s going to have to take responsibility for her actions. She stepped out of line, and I put her back in it. Jack says he couldn’t let her get away with it, could he? Ronnie says to Jack, “and what have everyone laughing at you? That would never do, would it?” Jack replies, “look, if you want to keep your little sister out of trouble, I suggest you keep her on a tight leash.” Ronnie asks, or what? Jack tells her he can’t tell her now, can he? He tells Ronnie if he didn’t know her better, he’d think she was jealous.
Ian and Clare are enjoying dinner. Clare tells Ian she really admires him. She really respects a man who puts his kids first. Ian says that it’s the right thing, isn’t it? She tells him she remembers Cindy, who was so glamorous and sexy. She was surprised when she heard he was married, well, to the woman from the caff. Ian looks at her. She tells him not to get her wrong as he picked the real momsy type, didn’t he? She can’t blame him as the kids needed a mum. She’s a real hard worker; Jane is, Clare goes on. She says Jane should take more time for herself. Pluck those eyebrows, shave those legs. Not like her as she’s too vain, and her legs are always silky smooth. (Clare lifts her leg and runs her hands down her calf as Ian watches) She says we all have our crosses to bear. Ian looks as if he’s trying to control himself.
Ronnie comes in and finds Roxy on the couch. Ronnie tells her she thought she was going to sleep. Roxy tells her she couldn’t sleep. Ronnie asks Roxy if she wants to go away for a bit? It might make her feel better. Roxy tells Ronnie the only thing that will make her feel better is watching Jack Branning suffer.
Harriet comes into Tanya’s and observes the mess from the party. Tanya tells Harriet she wants to take out an injunction against her husband. Harriett asks her why she wants to. Tanya tells her that he gatecrashed her party last night and spiked her drink. Harriett asks Tanya how she knows. She tells her that she was disoriented and blacked out. Harriet asks Tanya how many drinks she had? Tanya tells her she had a few, and it was her birthday. Harriet asks Tanya if she is sure she wants to take this route? Normally a judge will look for some sort of violence or harassment against you or harmed you in some way? She asks Tanya if she has any proof? Tanya grimaces as she realizes she doesn’t. Harriet tells her she is afraid she can’t help her then. Tanya tells her that when she was younger, she was into stuff, and a few glasses of punch would hardly put her in that state. Harriet tells her she has to be straight to her. If she hasn’t got any proof, then this isn’t going to look good for her. It could have the opposite effect and result in Max gaining custody of the children. Harriet tells her she’s been straight with her, and she wants Tanya to be straight with her. She tells Tanya if she wants to keep her kids, she’s going to have to apologize to him on bended knee. She has to consider if she wants to keep her kids or get rid of her husband. She gets up to leave and tells Tanya she’ll give her some time to think about it.
Peggy invites Honey, Billy and the kids round for dinner. She tells her that she’s hardly seen them since they moved in with Pat. Honey tells her they’d love to, but they are heading out of town to Auntie Caroline’s. Besides, Honey says, you should be out with some handsome fellow living it up. Peggy tells her she doesn’t think so as most of the men around there aren’t up for it. Honey opens up the paper and reads the love wanted adverts to her. Peggy tells her no she doesn’t think so.
Jase and Jay are in the cafe talking about moving in with Dawn. Jay isn’t thrilled but agrees to go. **
Sean is in the pub, and a pretty blonde walks up to him. Peggy opens the paper, and Honey has written in it, “Go For It!” Ronnie runs out after Roxy and asks her where she is going? Ronnie tells Roxy to please let her handle this. Ronnie tells her that she wants to take her away for a little treat and tells her she’s gotten them tickets for Austria. Roxy asks her if she’s got time for a leg wax? Ronnie tells her now and to get packing.
Ian comes in whistling and happy. He grabs Jane and gives her a hug and a kiss telling her he didn’t think this day could get any better. Jane wonders if they’ve won the lottery. Christian jokes, “whistling merrily, spontaneous display of affection, sounds like another woman to him!” Ian recoils, thinking he’s been found out.
Zainab has scoured the house, and Keith barely recognizes it. He tells her he hasn’t seen that floor that clean since Rosie left. Ghengis comes in and smells like a meadow. Keith is amazed. She tells him there is one thing left that needs cleaning. Keith thinks it’s the oven. She tells him it’s him. She demands he bathe and get a haircut then clean the tub. He refuses and jumps up. Shabnam comes in and tells them that her mum’s bullying has paid off, and the electricians are finished with the house, and they can go home. Zainab goes running out of the house. Shabnam smiles at Keith, who is relieved his hair gets to see another day.
Ronnie comes in to get her share of the takings. Jack wants to know what the rush is? She tells him that she and Roxy are going on a holiday. Jack tells her that they were going to spend Christmas there. Ronnie replies, “oh, were we?” Jack tells her to blow Roxy off and go with him instead. Ronnie tells him it’s not going to happen. He means nothing to her, and she can’t stand the sight of him and his fake smile. She takes her takings and tells him she can’t stand him anymore.
Keith sees Zainab, Tam, and Shabnam out and tells them it was a pleasure having them there. Zainab tells him he should give that poor dog a tetanus shot. Just as the Masood family leaves, Jase and Jay move in. Jase tells Keith, surely Dawn told him? Keith calls after them, “OI OI OI!”
Roxy and Ronnie are packing up to head out. They head off with Peggy sending them off. Clare walks out of the pub, and Ian calls out to her. He asks if there is any way he can thank her for helping him. She tells him surely he will think of something. She kisses him, and he’s startled. He runs back inside as Clare sashays away.
Tanya comes into Max’s flat. She sees the girls, but Max closes the door to the room, shocking Tanya. Max wonders if she’s going to get her claws out? Tanya asks him what the point is? You’ll get to me, anyway? Max claps and says she’s catching up. She asks Max why he hates her so much? Max tells her they are her rules and not to forget that. He tells her he begged her for a second chance, but she wanted a day in court, a fight. So this is it he says. Tanya tells him he fights dirty, though, doesn’t he? She knows he put something in her drink. Max responds, “so? Being married to you has taught me one thing; it’s that he’ll always be one step ahead of her.” He toasts her wit ha cheers. She asks him what he wants her to do? Max tells Tanya not to fight him. She scoffs and replies, “after everything you put me through?” Max stops her and tells her to watch her bitterness, and it might just eat her up. He says she’ll end up bitter and alone. She tells him that’s it. She’s had enough. She’s going to get the kids and go home. He tells her now she isn’t as she can’t be trusted. She tells him he can’t stop her; she’s their mother. He grabs her arm and reminds her that he’s their dad. She tells him when it suits him. Men like him shouldn’t be allowed to have kids and should be sterilized at birth. She goes to open the door, and he grabs her again and says, “wait, what did I say!” She slaps him as the girls come in and yell at them to stop. Tanya looks at them ashamed that they’ve seen that. Max tells her that she should ask the girls what they want. Tanya tells them to get their things as they are going. They don’t make a move. Tanya yells at them to get their things. Lauren tells Tanya she hates her. Tanya looks at Abi, and she runs off. Tanya is devastated and hurt. She looks back at Max, who is swimming in his control and power over the situation. He walks over, pulls the door closed, and tells Tanya, “See, I’ll always be one step ahead. If I were you, Tanya, I’d try to stay in my good books or otherwise you’re going to lose them for good.”

** Writers note: There was a glitch in recording on this episode at the mark. About a minute and a half was missed in recording.