It’s been a difficult time for EastEnders’ Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) lately, but things are set to turn nasty between them next week when their relationship hits the rocks.
The couple were devastated last month when doctors informed them that their baby son Jimmy had been born severely sight-impaired.
Lauren initially blamed herself for Jimmy’s diagnosis, believing it was caused by her painkiller addiction while she was pregnant, but gained a fresh perspective after some meaningful conversations with Stacey and Lily Slater (Lacey Turner and Lillia Turner).
However, Peter’s struggle to come to terms with the news is set to rip their family apart in forthcoming scenes.
On Monday, an increasingly distant Peter dismisses Lauren’s pleas to join her and local well-wishers in the Square, prompting his warring mum and gran Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) to put aside their feud to try and help the couple.
But Lauren is left devastated when Peter later turns around and blames her for Jimmy’s health.
Peter’s harsh words push recovering alcoholic Lauren to the brink of a relapse, and she heads to both The Vic and Harry’s Barn for a drink but is refused service.
After Peter finally bonds with his newborn son following Cindy’s encouragement, he heads to the hospital without Lauren for an appointment about Jimmy, where he is warmed by an encounter with a fellow patient.
However, Peter’s positivity is quickly ruined when he returns home and discovers Lauren has almost relapsed.
After a huge row, Peter breaks up with Lauren and hits her with the bombshell that he’s going to fight for custody of their sons.
Desperate not to see her family further ripped apart, Kathy manages to persuade Peter to make amends with Lauren, and eventually the pair put aside their differences.
But as it becomes clear Lauren is hiding something, a suspicious Peter heads to The Vic to ask solicitor Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) about custody advice.
Unfortunately, Honey overhears and tells Lauren, who then heads to No.45 to officially end things with Peter…
Is this the start of a bitter battle between them? And could this pave the way for the long-awaited return of Lauren’s dad Max Branning (Jake Wood)?
