It’s meant to be a day of celebration in EastEnders, as Patrick Trueman finally ties the knot with long-time love Yolande. But while the happy couple prepare to say ‘I do,’ not everyone is in the mood for confetti and champagne, especially Howie Danes (Delroy Hugh Atkinson), who’s quietly crumbling under the weight of a guilty conscience.
At The Vic, where the wedding reception is in full swing, Howie struggles to plaster on a smile, knowing full well that he’s hiding a huge secret. It’s all linked to the recent attack on Patrick and a pile of stolen cash.
Fans will remember that just weeks ago, Patrick found himself the victim of a shocking attack after winning big on a bet.
As the Slaters, Brannings, and co went about their usual Walford chaos, Patrick was left unconscious in his own home after Oscar Branning broke in to steal his winnings. Desperate to pay off dangerous people from his past, Oscar panicked when Patrick caught him in the act. In a flash, he pushed him to the ground and fled the scene.
It was Howie who later discovered the aftermath, and while he gave a witness statement to the police, he kept one crucial detail to himself: he recognised Oscar during the break-in thanks to his ankle tag. Unbeknownst to Oscar, the stolen money also included Howie’s own gambling winnings from bets placed with Patrick.
Rather than go to the police, Howie made a shady decision. After confirming Oscar’s involvement, he confronted Oscar and Lauren behind closed doors, demanding the stolen money back and agreeing to keep quiet in return.
Initially, Lauren called Howie’s bluff, refusing to give in, but Howie’s opportunity came later when he spotted the pair retrieving the stolen cash and Oscar’s balaclava from a bin. Seeing his chance, Howie swooped in and took both the money and the mask, knowing full well he now held all the cards.
But with the cash came guilt.
At first, Howie tried to convince himself he did what he had to do. But seeing Patrick become increasingly anxious, fearful and withdrawn after the attack began to eat away at him.
Watching the man he respected suffer all while secretly profiting from the situation made it harder and harder for Howie to live with himself.
And now, as Patrick and Yolande beam with happiness on their big day, unaware of the truth, Howie’s guilt is bubbling dangerously close to the surface.
It doesn’t take long for things to start slipping. At the reception, Howie can barely hold it together. Despite his best efforts to focus on the happy couple, he’s visibly rattled.
But before the truth could have a chance to come out, disaster strikes. A gunshot rings out at the reception, plunging the celebrations into chaos and marking a new tragedy for Walford.
