Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) spelt it out to mum, Suki (Balvinder Sopal) last week in EastEnders: she ‘takes over everything until nobody can breathe’, when the two clashed again over Penny Branning’s (Kitty Castledine) pregnancy.
Though Vinny tried his hardest to be the one to tell his mum that he and Penny were expecting a baby, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) caused a whole ruckus, accidentally spilled the tea to Suki and wife Eve (Heather Peace), when he invited them to a family dinner to discuss their grandchild.
The grandchild that Suki had no knowledge of.
When Penny later confirmed what Jack said, Suki’s long-lost ice cold glare returned, and when Vinny found him later, the two ended up trading barbs.
Though Vinny exclaimed that he’s not a child, Suki corrected him: he’s her child, though when she began to spew vitriol about his baby potentially ending up in the foster system should he and Penny split, Vinny was wounded. Imploring her to simply be happy for him, Suki was unable to get out of her own way, causing a hurt Vinny to retreat.
Next week sees Vinny again attempt to right things with Suki, though she cruelly rebuffs him, causing Eve to step in and attempt to coerce Suki into softening toward her son and to put their differences aside.
It seems that Eve’s encouragement works, as when Jack invites them both to a dinner with Vinny, Penny and Denise Fox (Diane Parish), she accepts.
At the Branning’s, pigs begin to circle in the sky and Hell itself is swallowed with ice, as Suki actually drops her attitude and opens herself up, an inexplicable bond seemingly forming between herself and Penny.
The budding relationship is scuppered soon after, though.
Despite Penny’s protestations that Vinny needn’t try to impress her with expensive gifts and gestures, he does just that, and puts a down payment on a shop in Turpin Road for her.
While Penny initially declines, encouragement from Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) and Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) sees her accept Vinny’s kind offer.
Someone who’s less than impressed with Vinny’s generous offer, though, is Suki.
Marching round to Penny’s, an incensed Suki echoes her initial barbs at Penny: she’s nothing more than a gold digger who’s exploiting her son for cash.
