Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) has made a tearful farewell to nephew Jimmy after committing a serious crime.
Earlier this week, his thuggish associate Fat Mike (Tai Hilferink) demanded a whopping 5k in exchange for the Branning-Beale family’s safety.
At a lost cause with where to find this money, Oscar attempted to get a few extra shifts at Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) chippy, but his efforts fell flat. He even suggested that the businessman expand his empire selling food at the park.
Desperate, he told sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) of his predicament, and she begged her boss Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) for an advance on her wages.
He told her that she’d have to sell some cars before he could find the money – something she was prepared to do to save her family from further turmoil.
As Jay went to collect Lauren’s wages, an unaware Oscar set about finding an alternative cash source.
Across the road, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) was horrified to spot a masked intruder holding his bookies winnings. He slammed the living room door closed and prepared to stage an intervention when the robber launched towards him.
During the scuffle, Patrick’s head hit the floor and he was knocked unconscious.
The burglar was of course Oscar.
In tonight’s episode, he called emergency services from Patrick’s phone before preparing to flee. When Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) arrived at the scene of the crime, he made a run for it.
Just moments before, Lauren had a run in with Mike, and handed over her wages from Jay. She and Oscar have doubled up on the cash.
Oscar’s concern began to grow as he watched the police and ambulance presence in The Square, and Lauren was confused as to why he was so visibly worried for a man he doesn’t really know.!
Later that night, he placed the envelope of money on the kitchen counter and went to walk out into the night.
Lauren was still awake and asked him to hold Jimmy while she went to find one of his toys, and Oscar began to pour his heart out. He told the youngster that he wanted him to make something of his life and do him proud, as it wouldn’t be long before he was behind bars again.
As he turned his head, Lauren was stood in the doorway holding Patrick’s winnings.
