01/07/2013

Max’s quietly frustrated Tanya and the kids are settling in Exeter. He tells Cora to leave. Dexter comforts her that they at least are strong together. Abi fumes when Max calls them ‘team Branning’. She’s livid when she learns Tanya knew about the fake pregnancy before she left. If Lauren hadn’t gone to rehab, Max and Tanya could have worked things out. Abi goes to Kirsty and vents her anger. Kirsty’s upset, tries calling Max and turning on the seductive charm when she finds him packing up from her flat. Max rebuffs her. Home, Max breaks down on Abi. Denise offers Abi her support and Phil says Lauren’s in the right place.

Patrick tries but fails to cheer Cora up by reminding her he needs a dance partner. Ava and Sam agree that two rings will signal a call to bed, but Ava finds Dexter in the flat with Abi. Later Cora marches round to Ava’s to confront her, only to spy a shirtless Sam through the window.

Jean’s run off her feet at the restaurant and the Vic. Shirley tells her to quit but when Sam, who’s seen her upset, takes her to Ian, Poppy storms in with her resignation after having been made acting manageress of Booty by Tanya. Ian forces Jean to step up and take her shifts. Jean’s read her horoscope which warned that little treats might signal romance – she’s unsettled when she returns to the restaurant and Ian apologises (happy that Carl didn’t show for lunch) and gives her a glass of wine as a ‘little treat’.

Lucy feels bad to learn Lauren’s left for rehab. She goes to Joey, who’s livid that Lucy let Lauren believe they were an item. She apologises, and when Joey gets emotional, comforts him with a kiss.