Next week in EastEnders, emotions run high as Avani finds herself at the centre of a harrowing police incident, while Linda contemplates stepping back into the dating world, with some unexpected encouragement from Kim!
Avani’s police nightmare spirals
Still grappling with grief, Lily struggles to face school life. Spotting her friend’s pain, Avani hatches a plan: she, Lily, and Amy skip lessons for a carefree adventure. But their rebellious day quickly unravels. When Priya catches the girls out, Avani manages to convince her mother to turn a blind eye, pleading that she’s only trying to cheer Lily up.
Things take a darker turn when they bump into Marvin – the same boy who sold Avani vapes in the past – who now offers them drugs. Avani refuses, but their luck runs out when police arrive, noticing the girls are skiving and spotting a bag of dropped pills suspiciously close to Avani’s feet.
Taken to the station, Lily and Amy are soon collected by Jack and Jean. But Avani is left in limbo, with neither Priya nor Ravi answering the phone. Events take a horrifying turn when the officers insist on strip-searching a frightened Avani, suspecting she may be concealing more drugs.
Later, Suki, tipped off by Jean, hurries to the station and is appalled to learn what’s happened. However, a humiliated Avani shuts down any talk of lodging a complaint. Back at No.41, Priya and Avani clash fiercely, with Avani lashing out at her mum, accusing her of being a bad parent. When Priya discovers the full extent of Avani’s ordeal, she storms over to No.27 to vent her fury at Jack.
Amy and Lily are devastated to learn what their friend has endured, but Avani, mortified and spiralling, lashes out once more at both Amy and Suki before running away. Alone at home, the weight of everything hits Avani hard as she breaks down.
Later in the week, Avani vanishes, leaving both Priya and Ravi frantic. It’s Suki who helps piece the puzzle together, and they are horrified to find Avani unconscious in the playground after drinking vodka. After a trip to the doctor, Ravi starts to realise the depth of his daughter’s struggles – and Suki’s revelation of the police search forces Ravi to confront the situation head-on.
Phil’s secret slips as Nigel blunders
Meanwhile, Phil’s return home following his stay in a psychiatric hospital is met with quiet support from family and close friends, but he’s far from ready for the wider Square to know the truth. However, Nigel unintentionally drops the bombshell while frustrated in the café, leaving Bernie stunned and Nigel immediately regretful.
Seeing an opportunity, George later pitches a brand-new idea to Nigel: a boxing club for the over-40s – cheekily dubbed ‘Box and Bantz’.Linda’s dating dilemma – and a match for Johnny?
Elsewhere, a long-awaited call from the insurance company leaves Linda thrilled as they confirm the payout to rebuild The Vic. But the excitement is short-lived when Elaine’s overbearing nature quickly takes over the project. Vexed, Linda vents to Denise, only for Kim to suggest she take her mind off things by dipping her toe back into dating waters.
Initially dismissive, Linda soon redirects her matchmaking energies onto Johnny, setting her sights on pairing him with Felix. But Kim’s persistence pays off, and Linda finds herself nervously preparing to meet her date, Jeff. Johnny’s reassuring words bolster her confidence, and the pair meet at Harry’s Barn – but will sparks fly?
Meanwhile, Gina and Anna have their own drama brewing as they vie for a bar job at Harry’s Barn. The competition heats up when they realise Harry himself will be overseeing their trial shifts – and Harry wastes no time winding Gina up.
EastEnders air these scenes from Monday 24 March on BBC One