Phil phones Ben with orders to close the Arches and waits in a taxi for him and Jay to leave. On learning Phil’s shut the garage, Sharon’s suspicious and nicks Jay’s Arches keys. She crosses Phil on the Square; he claims he wants a family lunch. Sharon plays along but hides to watch Phil visit the Minute Mart, then head back towards the Arches. She waits for Phil to emerge, then unlocks the door and slips inside. It’s seemingly empty but Sharon spots a half-eaten sandwich; she’s certain Karin’s in there and angrily shouts for her to come out. Kathy emerges, to Sharon’s shock. Meanwhile, Phil returns home to find Ben and Jay playing video games in the living room. Jay clocks him eyeing the safe. Phil makes bacon sandwiches and insists on eating in the kitchen. At the Arches, Sharon stares at Kathy in silent disbelief.
Kathy promises she’s leaving soon and tries to explain about her marriage to Gavin. Sharon eventually interrupts - she doesn’t care. She demands to know how long Phil’s known Kathy was alive. Kathy claims only a few weeks. Sharon’s disgusted Kathy kept away after everything her family have gone through. Kathy goes to call Phil but Sharon grabs the phone - she’s not done yet! At Phil’s house, Ben asks Jay to cover for him while he collects the scooter he’s been fixing from the Arches. Meanwhile, Sharon muses Gavin must be a monster to make Kathy abandon her sons and doesn’t think she looks like she’s just escaped a bad marriage – Phil might buy her act but Sharon doesn’t. When Ben knocks on the door, Kathy hides. Sharon lets suspicious Ben in, lying she’s been on the phone after some hassle at the Albert. Kathy stifles sobs as she watches Ben from her hiding place. Ben collects the scooter.
Sharon agrees not to tell Phil about Ben’s extra work but asks him to tell Phil to come to the Arches. Ben gone, a sobbing Kathy breaks down - she never wanted to leave her boys. On the Square, Ben pockets cash from a man collecting the scooter. Back at Phil’s, Jay knows Phil wants to get into the safe but Phil denies it. Ronnie texts Phil - ‘I’m parked on George Street’. Ben returns, lying he had to fetch paperwork from the Arches. Phil pales as Ben explains Sharon needs help with something in the garage. Phil exits, grabbing cash from the safe. In the Arches, Kathy asks Sharon about Ben; Sharon scoffs as she deduces Kathy wants to come back to Walford and warns her not to use Phil as a way in. Kathy’s amused that Sharon thinks she wants revenge for the past.
Sharon fronts that her marriage is tight; she bristles when Kathy pointedly wonders who Karin is. When Phil arrives, Sharon icily orders him to ensure Kathy never comes back. Phil says he’ll help Kathy but only on his terms - she’s got no chance of coming back to Walford. While Phil fetches his car, Sharon insists no sob story will ever make up for Kathy’s lie - Ben and Ian have her now. Sharon agrees to keep Kathy’s secret and orders her to stay dead. Kathy explodes, grabs Sharon by the hair and shoves her up against a car, screaming she won’t be told anymore. Sharon reels as Kathy rushes out to Phil’s waiting car. As Phil drives away, he tosses cash to Kathy lying in the backseat – it’s enough to get her sorted away from London. Despite Phil’s protests, Kathy sits up for a glimpse of Walford as they drive away.
At the Beales’, Jane’s explained her plan to Marcus. As she’s out fetching milk, Sharon warns Jane will regret involving Marcus, but wishes her luck. Marcus wants to know why Jane’s giving Max an alibi but Jane won’t tell him, Marcus stresses they must rehearse until Jane’s story is word perfect. As Marcus leaves, he warns Jane what she’s doing is perjury. Jane states Marcus has no idea what she’s capable of. Later, Jane’s stunned when Lauren walks in with a rucksack, heavily pregnant. Lauren declares she’s come for Max’s defence - she knows who killed Lucy...
As Ronnie parks Phil’s car on George Street, she watches Charlie with Matthew. Back at No. 27, Charlie wonders where she’s been. Ronnie explains she needed time to think and tells a stunned Charlie she can’t trust him anymore – their marriage is over. Show less