Before The Albert’s cocktail making night, Sharon sets Phil’s bouncers some ground rules. Phil informs the bouncers they’ll have a regular job three nights a week at The Albert and should report to him with any problems. Johnny wants Linda to come to the cocktail night. Sharon’s dismayed when a hen party cancels. Johnny takes some promotional cocktails outside to drum up business. Phil’s unimpressed that Johnny’s giving out free alcohol, and is irked when Sharon suggests he leave. Nancy and Mick are keen to attend the cocktail night but Linda claims she has a headache. At the Albert, Johnny impresses with his cocktail making skills.
Sharon fumes to learn Phil’s offered the bouncers regular work. Johnny’s disappointed that Linda’s not with Mick and Nancy. Gary intimidates Johnny into serving the bouncers alcohol. Sharon confronts Phil about the bouncers’ work hours and demands that he trust her. Phil retreats to the Vic, where Shirley lends a sympathetic ear. Johnny’s riled when Gary the bouncer makes a derisive comment about Nancy. Sharon realises the bouncers have been drinking and fires them. After a successful night, Johnny apologises to Sharon for serving the bouncers; he’s delighted when she offers him a job as bar manager, and they share a celebratory drink.
Sharon confides she thinks Phil wants to see her fail. Johnny empathises - he wishes he could make Linda proud. Johnny’s upstairs fetching his coat when two hooded men suddenly force their way into the Albert. Sharon ducks behind the bar. As the men smash up the bar, Sharon snatches up a bottle and goes for one of the men but she’s dragged off and sent flying, smashing her head as she falls. Johnny cowers upstairs, paralyzed with fear. As the two men flee The Albert, Sharon lies amidst broken glass, bloodied and motionless.
Ian apologises for going back into work when Denise has only just returned from holiday. Peter wants Ian to call DC Summerhayes to chase up the taxi driver’s statement about Jake. Ian’s distracted by a call from ‘R’ on his mobile, which he ignores. At Beales restaurant, Masood calls round to pick up his wages. Ian attempts to ignore his beeping phone, but burns burgers and cuts his finger. Masood lends a hand in the kitchen, urging Ian to take a break. Outside, Ian texts ‘R’ – ‘you have to stop calling’. He despairs to Masood that he’s not coping. Masood tentatively wonders how things are with Denise and offers to cover the restaurant while they spend time together, keen to make up for his outburst about Jane. Back home, Ian tells Denise how pleased he is she came home and thinks it’s time to set a wedding date.
Peter’s disappointed Ian hasn’t contacted Summerhayes and unimpressed he’s focussing on the wedding instead of Lucy’s murder investigation. Ian suggests maybe they’re too close to the investigation and insists the police will discover the truth - he’s trying to keep things together by planning the wedding. Ian returns to Beales. Grateful for Masood’s support, Ian apologises for what happened with Jane and offers Masood a permanent job. On Turpin Road, Nancy collides with an unkempt figure approaching Beales. As Ian emerges from the kitchen, he’s stunned to find Rainie Cross waiting for him.
The Vic hallway’s full of deliveries for Dean. Shirley attempts to talk to Dean about the salon; Dean makes it clear he’s only staying in Walford because he can’t pass up such a good opportunity. Later, Phil seeks solace in the Vic from the cocktail night at the Albert. Shirley thinks he’s putting off returning to Sharon. Phil tells Shirley she can’t hide her feelings forever, and tries to make her talk about her secret.
Roxy’s unimpressed when Aleks suggests having a night in, reminding him he’s not off the hook for taking money from Ronnie to date her. Aleks tries to placate her with promotional cocktails from The Albert but she demands to be treated to an expensive meal at Beales. Aleks suggests she needs to let things go and talk to Ronnie.
Charlie takes Dot to Beales but she’s keen on the burger menu. Dot wonders if Charlie’s seen Ronnie lately and urges him not to be put off. Show less