Things are spiraling out of control at The Queen Vic, and next week promises a jaw-dropping turn of events as Elaine Peacock’s impulsive decisions begin to unravel everything she and Linda have worked for. What starts as an emotional response to a personal betrayal soon threatens to put Linda in harm’s way — and leave fans wondering if The Queen Vic will ever be the same again.

Elaine, still reeling from her insecurities and jealousy over George Knight’s closeness with his ex-wife Cindy Beale, made a move that shocked viewers to the core. Earlier this week, after a tense period watching George support Cindy during the relaunch of The Albert, Elaine gave in to her rising jealousy and ended up cheating on George with a man named Steven. The betrayal hit hard — not just for George, but for fans who’ve watched the couple try to build something strong amid EastEnders’ chaos.

Now, the fallout from Elaine’s shocking betrayal is just beginning — and Linda is about to feel the full weight of her mother’s impulsiveness.

As George reels from the devastating discovery, the cracks in his relationship with Elaine begin to deepen. Meanwhile, Elaine, clearly struggling to process the consequences of her actions, starts to behave unpredictably. Her emotions are raw, and her judgment is clouded, leading her to make a series of rash decisions that put everyone at the Vic — especially Linda — in a dangerous position.

Next week, the situation takes a turn for the worse when Elaine decides to host a girls’ night at the pub. Surrounded by Kim Fox, Mo Harris, Priya Nandra-Hart, Denise Fox, Honey Mitchell, and Yolande Truman, Elaine tries to drown her guilt and anxiety in Prosecco — and makes the outrageous declaration that drinks are on the house all night.

Linda is stunned and caught off guard by the reckless move, especially knowing how tight things are financially. She’s already been picking up the slack at the Vic, juggling the bulk of the responsibilities while her mother spirals. The last thing she needs is for Elaine to be throwing around money as if the business isn’t hanging by a thread.

The night gets even messier when Phil Mitchell stops by the pub and immediately clocks that something is seriously wrong. Linda, who recently came out of rehab and is trying her best to stay grounded, is visibly worn out and under pressure. Phil, who’s grown closer to Linda in recent months, steps in to help behind the bar, doing his best to ease her burden — but his concern only grows as he watches Elaine’s erratic behavior escalate.

Then comes the final straw. As the drinks keep flowing, a tipsy Elaine offers to pay for a singles cruise for Priya — promising her she can pay her back later. Linda is later horrified to discover that her mother has taken £5,000 out of The Vic’s business account to fund this impulsive gift. The move isn’t just financially irresponsible — it’s a betrayal of the trust Linda has placed in her mom as her business partner.

When Linda confronts Elaine about the missing money, hoping for some explanation or remorse, she’s shut down cold. Elaine refuses to take responsibility, brushing it off as no big deal. But the next morning, the consequences of the night hit hard. Elaine wakes up hungover and moody, avoiding any kind of accountability, while Linda is left to deal with the emotional and financial mess her mother has left behind.

The stress and emotional toll on Linda are becoming more visible — and Phil isn’t the only one noticing. With Linda so fresh out of rehab, the pressure she’s under could have devastating consequences. Phil decides to confront Elaine directly, urging her to recognize how thoughtless and damaging her behavior is, especially toward a daughter who’s doing everything she can to stay sober and keep their lives afloat.

But even when Elaine finally tries to reach out to Linda, she continues to minimize her daughter’s emotional strain. Linda, never one to ask for help easily, keeps pretending she’s fine — but deep down, she’s drowning.

As questions begin to swirl around Elaine’s real motives — including her generosity toward Priya — rumors start gaining traction. Could Elaine be plotting a getaway of her own? Is this sudden splurge a sign that she’s preparing to walk away from the pub? Or, worse, could this be tied to whispers that Linda and Elaine’s co-ownership of The Vic might be coming to an end?

For Linda, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Her sobriety, her stability, and her future at the pub are all on the line. And with Elaine continuing to spiral and avoid taking responsibility, viewers are left on edge, wondering if Linda can hold everything together — or if she’s headed for another heartbreaking downfall.

As tension continues to rise in Walford, one thing is clear: Elaine’s recklessness is leaving a trail of destruction — and it may be Linda who pays the ultimate price.