EastEnders’ Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) may no longer be the landlady of The Vic, but she’s back behind a bar with the most unlikely of partners next week.

Forthcoming scenes on the BBC soap will see Elaine offered a new job by none other than her sworn enemy Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Yes, you read that correctly.

The shock offer is set to come as Elaine begins to struggle after she and daughter Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) sold off the Vic to Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) earlier this month.

As she pops in her former home for a drink, Elaine confides in her friend Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) that she misses the boozer during an emotional heart-to-heart.

Shortly afterwards, her prayers appear to be answered when she finds herself behind the bar of The Albert.

Elaine joins forces with Cindy, who has been struggling with staffing since the departure of Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison) last month, during a busy night of service.

Grateful for Elaine’s help, Cindy stuns her by offering her the job of co-manager of the place.

Will Elaine accept?

Elaine has resented Cindy’s presence in the Square since her return from the dead in 2023, as Cindy was still carrying a torch for her ex-husband – Elaine’s other half, George Knight (Colin Salmon).

But with Elaine currently in the process of divorcing George, does Cindy’s offer signal a truce between the two women?

Something tells us that there’s going to be fireworks behind the Albert bar…