Stella stares at the Square from the Vic window, lost in thought. Phil sees a photo of a happy Ben on the fridge. He’s worried about his son. He asks Stella whether Ben has said anything to her. Ben’s asleep in bed, Stella stands outside his room. Stella wakes Ben who jumps. Stella smiles at him. Stella tells Ben he’s done a terrible thing, Ben can’t think what it is. Stella says not to her, to Phil. Ben’s confused and worried. Stella tells Ben that Phil is disappointed with him. After making Ben cry she tells him she’ll make him feel better. Ben confused but knows what she wants him to do. He timidly pinches her arm. Stella then says it’s her turn and Ben reluctantly rolls up his sleeve. Stella hugs Ben and makes him say he’s her best friend. She tucks him back into bed. Phil looks in on Ben, fast asleep. As Phil leaves, Ben’s eyes open, a tear slides down his cheek. Phil tells a surly drunk Deano to pick up the beer mats he’s chucked on the floor. Max and Phil offer Kevin an after hours drink. Max asks Kevin how he managed to get a looker like Denise to marry him. Max gets a photo message from Stacey. Kevin tells them that Deano won’t go to the wedding and why. Phil tells a joke to diffuse the tension. Max calls Tanya who gives him an earful for waking her up. Max tells them he shoved a boy who was all over Lauren. Phil and Kevin are a bit shocked when he admits they were only holding hands. As Max moves away to text Stacey, Kevin gets another round in. Kevin tells Phil he’s the only one whose kid isn’t giving him grief. Phil confesses that Ben’s been funny with him, something’s going on and he doesn’t know what it is. They try to work out what’s wrong with Ben. Phil is surprised when Kevin puts it down to puberty, surely Ben is too young. Kevin points out that kids develop early these days and encourages Phil to talk to Ben. Kevin asks Deano to come to the wedding, but when Kevin says he won’t change the date Deano replies he’s not going to be there.


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