Denise listens as the family discuss Kevin. She with forced jollity she offers to cook breakfast for everyone. Libby doesn’t want to go to school but Denise tells her she should. Carly is irritated with the way Chelsea speaks to her sister. An argument breaks out between them and Carly suggests they blame her for Kevin’s disappearance. Denise tells them to calm down Kevin is fine and will be back soon. Denise is leaving for work when the postman arrives with a package for Kevin. Her façade drops and she calls in sick. Denise sorts out the washing. She discovers Kevin’s Chelsea t-shirt.Tanya and Max flirt. Max enters the living room to find Abi parading around with the pink handbag Max bought Tanya for her birthday. Max asks Abi not to tell Tanya. Bert hurries Jay to get ready for school. Jay can’t believe Bert does what Yolande tells him. Bert arrives home from taking Jay to school. Yolande is impressed but it would be easier if he was at a local school. She hands him the phone to call to enrol Jay at Walford High.Tanya tells Preeti that Max and she are trying to spend more time together and when he arrives to make excuses for lunch, as he’s got a meeting in Kensington. He leaves and Tanya tells Preeti that her favourite jeweller is there – he’s gone to get her birthday present.Stacey approaches Max in the café to tell him about losing an earring. He knows, he had to get rid of it but will make it up to her. Max is at home he looks at the earrings he’s bought and heads out, accidently he drops the receipt. Later Max gives Stacey the earrings, she is thrilled - they agree to meet later. Stacey gets into Max’s car and shows him her earrings. They kiss.Patrick sees an upset Libby and has a chat with her. Patrick finds Denise in the launderette. He tells her he spoke to Libby and knows about Kevin. He’s there for her, he’s been through this with Paul. Denise tells him that it isn’t the same – Kevin will be back.Phil is knocking on Pat’s door, he knows Carly’s inside. He wants his money for the smashed car. Carly nervously lets him in and tells him she doesn’t have it. Phil’s beginning to get angry when Denise arrives home. She tells Phil he’ll get his money. He’ll be back in a couple of hours. Pat encourages Deano to make up with Carly – he does. Denise tells Pat about the money. Pat heads to the bank. Denise talks to Shirley looking for reassurance that Kevin wouldn’t have done anything stupid. Shirley tells her she doesn’t know Kevin anymore, he’s Denise’s now. Denise comes home, Libby is on the phone to the police talking about Kevin. She explains she didn’t know what else to do as Denise won’t talk to her. Denise points out that there is nothing wrong, Kevin will be home soon because he loves them. Libby says her Dad loved them and look what he did. Denise breaks down. Denise apologises to Libby and Chelsea for putting them through another horrible situation. Carly and Deano enter. Denise says it’s her fault Kevin left. She gave Deano Shirley’s number. Pat enters with the news that Kevin is alive – she’s got proof.Ben talks to Abi and Lauren about his Gran being away for 3 weeks. He hates Stella and with his Gran away his Dad will spend more time with him. Ben is surprised to find Stella is looking after him at home. She explains Phil had to work. Ben suggests to Stella that her casserole is burning. She goes to check on it – it is fine. She pours herself a glass of wine -she has a thought. Ben is just about to delete Stella’s work on her computer when she stops him. Ben is busted! Stella tells Ben that she should tell Phil about what he tried to do. Ben doesn’t want her to. Stella tells him that she just wants to make Phil happy. They should show him that they are getting along. Phil comes home he is delighted to see they are friends.

Tanya is tidying up when she finds the receipt for the earrings. She was right!

Stacey and Max look at each other before entering their houses. Max enters a scene of domestic bliss. Tanya tells him to have a bath before dinner. Max leaves after sharing a look with Abi who giggles. Tanya pushes her to tell her what is going on. Abi tells her that she knows what Max has got her for her birthday. Tanya knows too so they should keep it a secret. She’ll act surprised when she puts it on. Abi is confused – how can you put on a handbag. Tanya is crushed.

Pat explains that Kevin has cleared the business account last night. The others are thrilled – he’s alive. Denise forces jollity until she cracks – she wishes he was dead because this just means that he’s run out on them all.

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