EastEnders' Lauren Beale makes huge decision over dodgy Mark Fowler deal in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Wednesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Let's face it - after stealing £3,000 from a charity fundraiser in the Queen Vic, you probably wouldn't trust EastEnders' Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) with a corner shop 20p mixup.
She's just not responsible with cash, especially when it could benefit her visually impaired son Jimmy. She only wants the best treatment and care for him, believing that it could provide a better life than the one she and husband Peter (Thomas Law) could offer.
This is despite their loved ones repeatedly reminding her that she couldn't be a more loving mother to the infant.
Earlier this week, during a Mother's Day meal, Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) proposed that she team up with him at the car lot. He would source some flashy motors for her to sell, and they'd be able to split the profits.
While the deal sounded exciting, she couldn't help but feel that she was tempting fate, just days after a man violently attacked her and stole the car keys to a vintage vehicle. It seriously knocked her confidence, and she had no idea that Mark was the one who orchestrated the incident.
After some words of wisdom from grandmother Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), Lauren seized the opportunity and within 24 hours, she'd already managed to get rid of one of the cars.
However, shortly afterwards, Callum Highway (Tony Clay) asked her to remain vigilant following a series of thefts in the area. She had a gut-feeling that there was something strange with Mark's deal, and went to confront him.
She received a huge shock when she saw him conversing with the thug who assaulted her, and she soon realised that he was the one to blame.
Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google.
In today's episode, Lauren lashed out towards Mark for his wrongdoings, but he asked her to reconsider as it would be a very lucrative operation.
She had to park the conversation as she was meeting with a mum who also had a visually impaired child, who wanted to discuss a specialist nursery that has helped him to thrive. The main issue would be the cost, and it became apparent to Lauren and Peter that they wouldn't be able to afford it.
During an awkward family meeting at The Vic, dad Max Branning (Jake Wood), uncle Jack (Scott Maslen) and Peter's dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt) all offered to chip in, and she realised that she wouldn't need Mark's dodgy scheme to support her.
The two had another tense encounter where she told him their deal was off, unaware that Max was watching from the shadows...
Will Mark regret messing with the Brannings?
Read more:
- 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Jasmine Fisher evidence found as she prepares to plead guilty
- EastEnders confirms Holby City legend cast in pivotal role alongside Zoe Slater's long-lost son for trial storyline
- EastEnders reveals why Clare Bates is estranged from Nigel as she returns after 18 years in BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders' Max Branning makes reckless move to show commitment to Linda Carter in early BBC iPlayer release
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
