There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as attempting to solve the big mysteries posed by a soap story, keeping your eye on every potential plot twist and scene in the hopes of finding some clues.

The recent EastEnders flash-forward episode, in which Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) nuptials take place, is a particularly good example of this, with many questions posed during the offering in question.

The BBC One soap took a great big leap one whole year into the future back in January, demonstrating what audiences have to expect come New Year’s Day 2027.

The episode was predominantly centred around Max, who was seen suited and booted, ready to walk down the aisle once more.

The identity of the next Mrs. Branning, as expected, has been kept under wraps, as has the truth about the pregnant woman he was sleeping next to on the morning of his nuptials (Max Branning being Max Branning).

Speculation has been rife over the two women in the lothario’s life of course but, in addition to such mysteries, there were also a heap of other questions asked during the flash-forward episode, especially in regards to Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) secretive behaviour and the existence of a presumably Branning baby named Ethan, who was seen in Jack’s (Scott Maslen) care.

In terms of the former plot line, Lauren and Peter Beale’s (Thomas Law) marriage appeared to be on the rocks. In present day scenes, the couple are in a good place and are perhaps more loved up than ever but it seems that the events of the year ahead drive a wedge between them.

In the flashforward episode, set on January 1 2027, Lauren was seen sneaking off after a mystery text. Max, however, knew full well that his daughter was up to something and called her out on such a thing during a particularly fraught showdown.

The running theory is that Lauren is having an affair behind Peter’s back. And as for who she’s been seeing? Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) is the likely culprit, given that he made his ‘Enders debut in the flashforward episode and seemed to hover in Lauren’s company.

In the present, Lauren hasn’t had many exchanges with Mark since he rocked up in the Square a number of weeks ago but that all changed on Monday (February 23) when the newcomer flirted with her in the cafe.

When asked if he ‘fancied’ the job going at the car lot, Mark looked at Lauren and said ‘not the job, no’. Lauren made it clear that she was married, with Mark branding her beau a ‘lucky man’.

If the theory that Lauren is cheating on Peter by the end of the year is correct then the scene in question has very much sewn the seeds of such a story.

And speaking of mysteries potentially solved, the identity of baby Ethan’s mum and dad might have also been revealed during the episode in question.

A family meal at the Branning household proved eventful as Jack uncovered a pregnancy test in a bag dropped off by one of the attendees.

At first, he reckoned Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) was pregnant, a theory that was further reinforced when Lil and Ricky (Frankie Day) made it clear they had something she wanted to ask of him.

However, Lily clarified that her request was simply for some cash for a new pram for Charli. To prevent further speculation, Penny revealed that the test belonged to her and, after taking said test, she claimed that it was a negative result.

But after Denise Fox (Diane Parish) uncovered the test from the bin, Penny (Kitty Castledine) revealed that she is pregnant – with Vinny Panesar’s (Shiv Jalota) baby.

With baby Ethan’s parentage having been the subject of much speculation since the flashforward aired, has this development confirmed that Penny and Vinny are the parents to the little one?

Or can we expect more twists to come that will dispel such a thing?