Abi and Lauren are thrown by Tanya’s chirpiness. Tanya bumps into Ava, who reveals she’s starting a new job at Oscar’s school. Tanya rejects Max’s attempts to talk. Fed up with pitying looks, Tanya asks Poppy, Cora, Kim and Sharon to celebrate with her. After champagne, they move on to the Vic, where Lauren fills Cora in about Tanya’s missed hospital appointment. It’s then onto R&R where Tanya sings Karaoke. Feeling pitied, Tanya leaves. Max’s alarmed by Tanya’s drunken state. Tanya rails at Max then falls over. Cora sends Max away and indicates that Ava shouldn’t stop. Tanya confesses she always thought she was the real love of Max’s life, she can’t move on because she loves him so much. Cora holds Tanya as she weeps.

Zainab and Denise have both been shortlisted for the Regional Manager position. Discovering Ian’s helping Denise prepare, Zainab makes Masood give her a mock interview. Masood ropes Ayesha in to play Denise. He’s impressed by Ayesha’s answers, the opposite of Zainab’s ruthless ones. Afterwards the women want to know who he’d offer the job to; Masood demurs but later, with Ayesha in earshot, tells Zainab he’d always choose her.

Trying to get Kim and Denise talking, Ian blurts that Denise didn’t come on to Ray it was the other way round. Ray confirms it. Denise apologises and Kim discards Ray’s necklace. Kim agrees that Denise can move home. Kim and Sharon tease Denise about Ian, Denise claims they’re just friends.

Lola’s determined to stop Phil taking Lexi to Cornwall with Peggy even after Trish warns her it means Lexi going into temporary foster care.

Dot confronts Cora about the council rent arrears. Cora offers Dot £10 a week and some shifts. After spending the day sorting the launderette out, Dot’s offered her manageress position back. Show less