The Masoods are in high spirits after Kush’s proposal. Masood and Fatima awkwardly show Asim out. Kush tentatively wonders to Shabnam if now is a good time to tell the truth about the baby. Masood interrupts and Shabnam panics – what did he hear? Masood fetches cakes from the café to celebrate, where he’s accosted by Shirley; she hints someone’s missing from their family gathering. Masood insists he trusts Shabnam over Dean but is rattled. Later, the family discuss wedding plans but Masood’s quiet.
Kush apologises for not asking his permission before proposing; Masood scoffs his blessing wouldn’t mean much to Shabnam and asks Kush outright about the baby. Kush’s silence speaks volumes and Masood marches into the living room to confront Shabnam, angrily demanding she stop lying - did she have a baby? Shabnam finally says yes and claims the baby was adopted. Reeling, Masood deduces Dean’s the father. Shabnam admits she never told Dean but assures a worried Nancy it was consensual. Masood’s convinced Dean took advantage of her and heads for Patrick’s house.
Shabnam pursues, begs him not to involve Dean and Shirley and promises to tell Masood everything. Shabnam reveals the whole story, explaining Fatima arranged the adoption and she doesn’t want to know any details. Tamwar wishes Shabnam had confided in him. Masood’s disgusted with Shabnam and angrily berates her for her selfishness - he’s ashamed of her. Shabnam declares Masood’s children don’t confide in him because his first instinct is never love or comfort, only anger - at least she could admit she wouldn’t have made a good parent. Masood’s shocked.
Fatima ushers everyone out. In the Vic, Shabnam determines to move on and tells Tamwar, Nancy and Kush never to mention the baby again. Martin and Stacey congratulate them on their engagement and Nancy produces a bottle of fizz to celebrate. Stacey’s proud of Shabnam when she learns the family knows her secret. Meanwhile at the Masoods’, Fatima and Masood discuss families; Fatima reveals Inzamam’s moved to Pakistan and insists no family is perfect. Masood comforts her and Fatima remarks perhaps she married the wrong brother. Masood regret his harsh treatment of Shabnam and despairs it’s a good thing that Roya’s been kept away from him. Fatima admits the baby wasn’t adopted and she knows where she is.
In the Vic, Kim feigns indifference when Vincent remembers it’s her birthday soon. Vincent claims he has a date and greets Donna warmly. Jealous, Kim accuses Vincent of staring at her and claims it’s unwanted assault. When Donna squares up to her, Kim accuses her of flirting with her husband. Donna scoffs and explains Vincent’s her brother. Vincent smirks. Donna continues to goad Kim; she retaliates by puncturing Donna’s wheelchair tyre with a fork, to everyone’s shock. Vincent slings Kim over his shoulder and carries her home, shrilly protesting. Phil watches. On the doorstep, Vincent asks after Pearl and wonders if they could all spend some time together. Kim’s drawn to Vincent and can’t help leaning in for a kiss but he pulls away, smirking.
Embarrassed, Kim shouts after Vincent she’s calling the police and reporting him for assault. Back in the Vic, Vincent offers Phil and Billy a drink; noting Phil’s orange juice, Vincent deduces Phil’s an alcoholic and goads that he deserves an apology. Phil warns Vincent to disappear but he’s unfazed. Phil calls Ronnie. Donna attempts to fix her tyre, irked that Vincent seems impressed by Kim. Later, Vincent calls round with early birthday flowers and an apology; Kim’s won round and accepts them. Two plainclothes police officers appear and arrest Vincent for assault. Kim protests she’s not responsible but Vincent’s not convinced. Phil watches from across the Square, grinning.
Nancy jokes that everyone’s getting married before Mick and Linda and claims she’s being teased for being illegitimate. Visiting Linda and baby Oliver in the hospital, Mick insists they need to get married soon. Linda promises she’s in.
When Stacey offers Martin her spare room, he gets the wrong end of the stick and suggestively strokes her leg. Stacey snatches the keys back and Martin kicks himself. Later, after he apologises profusely, Stacey relents and agrees a £400/month rent. Martin later fills in Kush and vows that in a year, Stacey will be his wife. Show less