Nicola is distracted as her family join forces to celebrate her birthday. She desperately tries to get back in control by offering Ravi £10,000 to carry out the job she wants him to do.

Later, Nicola lies to Harry and manages to secure a customer’s van for the job.

Meanwhile, Nigel is overwhelmed by Phil’s overzealous approach to caring for him. Phil warns Kathy that Nigel is no longer capable of working at the café.

Elsewhere, Kojo secures a permanent job at The Arches.

Also today, Avani accepts Barney’s invitation to Nicola’s birthday party.

What should’ve been a joyous occasion for Nicola spirals into chaos this week on EastEnders, as her birthday becomes the backdrop for secrets, tension, and a desperate bargain that could change everything.

Nicola’s special day kicks off with smiles and celebration as her family gathers to mark the occasion, showing a rare united front. There’s laughter, balloons, and warm wishes—but despite the festive exterior, Nicola’s mind is miles away. Rather than soaking up the love and attention, she’s clearly preoccupied. It soon becomes obvious that she has something weighing heavily on her mind, and it’s not birthday candles.

Unable to relax or enjoy the moment, Nicola watches the celebration unfold while her thoughts race. Behind the scenes, she’s trying to juggle a plan that she can’t afford to see fall apart. Desperate to maintain control over a secret mission she’s been plotting, Nicola corners Ravi with an urgent proposition. She offers him a hefty sum—£10,000—if he’ll take care of a mysterious job for her. The details of the job remain unclear, but Nicola’s tone and the urgency in her offer suggest this is more than just business—it’s personal. And shady.

Ravi, taken aback by the offer, hesitates. There’s clear tension as he weighs the risks, but Nicola’s desperation is impossible to ignore. She’s clearly running out of time and options, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep things on track—even if it means emptying her pockets and roping Ravi into something dangerous.

But Nicola’s manipulations don’t end there.

Later that day, she takes a calculated risk and lies straight to Harry’s face. With her charm and a well-rehearsed story, she manages to secure access to a customer’s van—an essential piece of the puzzle for the job she’s planning. Harry, none the wiser, believes her completely, but if the truth were to come out, it could spell disaster for both of them.

As Nicola dances between lies and risky deals, other parts of Walford are seeing their own drama unfold.

Nigel, who’s been trying to carry on with daily life despite recent struggles, finds himself at the center of a concern he didn’t see coming. Phil has been keeping a watchful eye on him, but his approach to “helping” might be doing more harm than good. Phil’s overbearing behavior becomes too much for Nigel, leaving him overwhelmed and frustrated. It all comes to a head when Phil, convinced that Nigel is no longer fit to handle his duties at the café, pulls Kathy aside for a serious chat. He warns her that it’s time to take Nigel off the schedule—permanently.

Kathy is left torn between loyalty to her friend and the practicalities of running a business. The question remains: is Phil genuinely worried about Nigel’s wellbeing, or is he using this as a power move? Either way, it’s clear that changes are coming to the café—and they might not be welcomed by all.

Elsewhere, some lighter moments try to cut through the growing tension in Albert Square. Kojo receives fantastic news when he lands a permanent position at The Arches. After months of proving his worth, he’s finally made a lasting impression—and his dedication is paying off. The team welcomes him aboard officially, and Kojo couldn’t be happier. In a world full of secrets and stress, this bit of good fortune stands out as a rare win.

Meanwhile, a surprising connection starts to blossom as Avani accepts an invitation from Barney to attend Nicola’s birthday bash. What starts as a casual offer turns into an evening that could mark the beginning of something more between the two. With everyone gathered to celebrate Nicola, Avani and Barney find themselves enjoying each other’s company, offering a brief but sweet moment of relief in an otherwise tension-filled episode.

But the birthday party’s cheerful appearance is only skin-deep. Nicola’s secret arrangements are brewing just beneath the surface, and it’s clear she’s playing a dangerous game. Her lie to Harry, her bold offer to Ravi, and the van she secured under false pretenses all point to something explosive waiting in the wings.

As the festivities continue and laughter echoes through the Square, Nicola wears a smile that barely conceals the chaos she’s trying to control. Whatever this mysterious job is, it’s coming—and it could leave her birthday remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Stay tuned to see just how far Nicola is willing to go… and what price she’ll pay if it all falls apart.