Ben’s ignoring Kathy’s phone calls. Jane suspects Kathy’s story about Gavin doesn’t add up but Ian’s just delighted to have his mum back. Kathy attempts to placate Gavin on the phone, promising to get into Phil’s safe as soon as Ben agrees to talk to her. At Phil’s house, Sharon’s fuming Phil’s not around when Ben needs him. Ben eventually lets Kathy in when she won’t stop knocking on the door and windows, but still won’t speak. Kathy apologises, pleading her heart broke when they left him in South Africa.
Unimpressed, Ben coldly holds the front door open for her to leave. Kathy cries she missed Ben so much but knew he’d be alright in Walford with Phil and Ian. Ben shuts the door and shouts when he came to Walford he was 9 years old and no-one understood his accent - Phil wasn’t even there! He doesn’t see what could have made Kathy abandon her own son and won’t believe her when she claims he was better off. Ben rages he wanted to be dead with Kathy, and laughs bitterly at Kathy’s suggestion that he’s alright – he’s a murderer, a prisoner, a father, a ‘gay with a girlfriend’…
Ben rants he’s tried to fit in but Phil can see right through him and can’t stand to be around him. Ben rages that it’s all Kathy’s fault but she stands firm – no it’s not! Kathy reveals she knew Ben was gay before he started school and it doesn’t matter; she and Phil love him for who he is. Ben breaks down and lets Kathy hug him. Kathy vehemently promises Ben that Phil’s disappearance is nothing to do with him. Kathy talks about the insurance scam and insists Ben wasn’t safe with Gavin - it all happened so suddenly and there was no going back. Kathy insists Gavin’s a good man really but if things go wrong it can make him ill, and worries he’s not thinking straight again. Ben’s puzzled – again? Kathy admits she’s still with Gavin but wants her family back and a normal life. When Ben demands to know the truth, Kathy shows him a code on a piece of paper – the combination to Phil’s safe. Swearing him to secrecy, Kathy tells Ben she has to take every penny Phil has or Gavin’s going to kill him.
Shabnam wakes suddenly from a dream on Kush’s sofa, clutching Zaair’s baby blanket. Kush finds her stood at the nursery door. Later, Shabnam makes a phone call to confirm an appointment; Kush gets a shock when he returns home to find Shabnam with Fiona, Jade’s social worker. With Fiona gone, Kush’s unimpressed Shabnam went behind his back .Shabnam protests she was just getting preliminary information about gaining access to Jade but Kush knows she hasn’t mentioned Zaair to Fiona. Shabnam stubbornly declares it wasn’t relevant – she’s sick of talking and wants Kush to support her. Kush catches up to Fiona outside. Over at No. 29B, Kush tells a sympathetic Fiona about Zaair.
Dean jealously watches Roxy and Masood’s easy comradery on the Masala Masood stall. Tina spots his mood, which he claims is because of Shirley’s lacklustre work ethic. When Tina points out she’s been preoccupied sourcing Jade’s favourite duvet set and suggests she needs some time off, Dean gets an idea. Later, he moans to Roxy now he’s given Shirley time off he has no salon manager and Roxy volunteers for the job. Dean watches, pleased, as Roxy hands in her notice to Masood.
On the market, Tamwar chastises Les that Pam’s not followed the correct procedure for calling in sick, then feels awful when Les reveals Pam’s been crying all night about their late son’s birthday. Patrick consoles he finds the death day worse than the birthday; the pair share rum on the allotments and toast to their boys. Patrick shows Les a tree he planted for his son, Paul. Later, Les coaxes a tear-stained Pam to get out of bed and try planting a tree or having lunch to celebrate the good times with Lawrie. Miserable Pam just wants him to go away. Later, Claudette finds a sobbing Les on her doorstep and holds him as he cries. Show less