Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard) is hiding a big secret about his partner Jess after the shocking reveal that sister Nancy (Maddy Hill) is carrying their baby. Nancy returned to the Square in secret earlier this week, but news of her comeback quickly reached Linda (Kellie Bright), who demanded answers.
Nancy came clean, revealing she is pregnant with Lee's baby. Linda was reeling at first, until Lee explained that Nancy is carrying his baby for him and his partner Jess. The situation was complicated further when Lee claimed that Jess left him and cut all contact, meaning he and Nancy have had to seek legal advice from Johnny (Charlie Suff).
Johnny told them that if Nancy signs away her parental rights after the baby's birth, then Jess will need to be notified. However, if she doesn't, then Jess technically need not know the baby has been born.
The Carters vow honesty
The Carters headed to the B&B where they all vowed to be honest from here on out, but Lee took a discreet call from Jess, who he ordered to stay away, reiterating that she will have nothing to do with the baby. Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), meanwhile, made things right with her family and smiled through Ned Hawkins' (Jamie Bamber) efforts to antagonise her, while Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) found himself overwhelmed trying to keep everyone happy.
With Lee having lied about the circumstances that led to him and Jess splitting, the question is just how long can he keep a lid on things. Will Linda find out the truth? Does Nancy know? And will Jess work out he's in Walford and make a beeline for the Square?
Ian Beale returns
Elsewhere in Walford, a major return is on the cards as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) returns home following his stint in prison. Despite being glad to be back where he belongs, it's clear the patriarch is rattled by what he went through while behind bars.
Harvey, meanwhile, is ready for the inspection at the chippy but, with Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) planning on missing an open day to look after Charli, he instead offers to babysit, which leads to him missing the inspection. When Ian finds out, tensions ensue amid the welcome home drinks at the Vic but, overwhelmed by it all, Ian rushes out.
More Walford drama
Over at Harry's Barn, Nicola shows Ryder (Felix Uff) the ropes behind the bar, and she senses some tension between him and his father. In a bid to get him to open up, Nicola takes Ryder for lunch. Finally, Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) comes to Vinny Panesar's (Shiv Jalota) defence when Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) questions their parenting skills.
EastEnders airs these scenes Wednesday October 7 at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
