Max Branning declares war on Cindy Beale after she scuppers his plans to buy No.31, while Craig Ingram's cruel blackmail of Denzel Danes escalates in next week's EastEnders.
Max and Cindy at war
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) continues to dig for the identity of Max Branning's (Jake Wood) secret woman, as well as the information she needs to destroy him. After finding a lipstick in his flat, she is dead set on finding out who his new woman is.
On Monday, October 19, Max agrees to financially support Cindy after her card is declined when she returns home from her honeymoon with a young man, Rafael (Daniel Garcia), in tow. He also tries to talk Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) into selling No.31 to him.
By Wednesday, October 21, Cindy discovers Max's plan to buy No.31 and overhears a phone conversation, later finding something on his laptop that snatches her attention. Rallying Lauren with this knowledge, she scuppers Max's attempts to buy No.31 by exposing his issues with his New Zealand property, leading Suki to sell to another buyer. Max then declares war on Cindy, and they both turn to Oscar for help.
Craig's cruel scheme
Creepy Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) continues his scheme to humiliate Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega). On Monday, Denzel is desperate as his blackmailer demands money or else he'll leak his half-naked picture. After Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) is blocked from stealing money from the Minute Mart to help, Denzel is forced to pawn a signet ring Howie and Kim Fox-Danes (Delroy Atkinson and Tameka Empson) bought him for his birthday. Later, Craig sends the picture to his family out of jealousy over Amy.
On Tuesday, Denzel is forced to admit to his family that he sold his birthday present to pay the blackmailer off. Craig, having learned of Amy Mitchell's (Ellie Dadd) upcoming inheritance, suggests he and Amy move away together. On Thursday, Denzel tries to get answers from Amy, but she remains cagey.
Mark's warning and other storylines
After being forced to do Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber) a violent favour, Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) warns Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) to stay away from the insidious newcomer. On Wednesday, Mark is unnerved and pulls away from Lauren when he spots Ned and Ryder Hawkins (Felix Uff), warning her that they'd both better stay well away from him.
On Thursday, Lauren is left feeling cold by Ian's new outlook on life and, disregarding Mark's warning, becomes suspicious of Ned's influence on him. She starts digging and later receives a cryptic clue from Ryder as to his dad's former career.
Elsewhere, Mo Harris' (Laila Morse) family attempt to lift her spirits. Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) and Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) organise a bingo night in Zoe's honour. Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) remains focused on her mission, gutted to learn the man who owned Charlie Slater's (Derek Martin) cab has been cleared by police over Zoe Slater's (Michelle Ryan) death. Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) turns to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) for help with her car, while Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Amy remain at loggerheads as she searches for a way to access her inheritance.
