Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) drops a bombshell on DC Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) in EastEnders next week, revealing more truths about what really happened to Joel Marshall (Max Murray).
Joel was attacked last month after attending what was supposed to be a party in the park with local teens to celebrate the end of term. In reality, the get-together was the brainchild of the teens, who wanted to teach Joel a lesson following his release from prison and his return to the Square.
Background of the attack
Joel was jailed after attacking stepmum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). He also had sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and filmed it without her consent, subsequently posting it online.
Avani struggled to process his presence in Walford after his release – as did Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd), who invited Joel to the park, where their friends tied him up and threw beer over him, recording the incident.
Investigation and secrets
Joel was later attacked with a hammer and left for dead. An investigation was launched, with each of the teens professing their innocence. DC Craig, leading the investigation, decided against submitting the video into evidence following pleas from both Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Joel himself, while Amy attempted to get information from Craig regarding suspects – to no avail.
Next week, Amy, Avani, Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega), Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury), Lily, Ricky (Frankie Day), Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) all meet up to discuss Joel. Their secret rendezvous is interrupted by Craig, whose interest is piqued. They waste little time in making excuses and leaving, but Craig proceeds to probe Amy. Jack spots their clandestine conversation and intervenes, with Craig claiming he was checking on Amy’s welfare.
Lily's revelation
Ricky confides in Lily about his fears regarding what transpired with Joel, but the pair are interrupted by Jean Slater (Gillian Wright). Jean is worried about Lily’s potential involvement in the Joel incident and shares her concerns with Kat (Jessie Wallace). The situation escalates when Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace) reveals she’s just spotted Lily heading into No. 43 – to speak to Joel.
Jean marches over to the property to bring Lily back home. Craig arrives to question Lily, and after some encouragement from Jean, she tells the detective what she witnessed. But just what exactly did Lily see? And will it spell trouble for her and the others?
Confrontation and more truths
Later in the week, Joel confronts all the teens at the Gaming Grounds. Jean and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) get wind that the kids are all together and, worried about what it could mean, they head over to split them up.
Upon her arrival, Jean confirms to everyone what Lily has told Craig – and soon another truth comes to light, leaving the teens at odds with one another. Amy returns home, where she argues with Jack. Later, she opens up to Kat, who suggests she smooth things over with her dad. But Craig spots her and offers a shoulder to cry on, leading Amy to reveal a truth of her own.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
