Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) excitement concerning The Queen Vic’s rebuilding is soon quashed in EastEnders next week.
The combined Carter and Knight clan have been lodging at Sonia Fowler’s (Natalie Cassidy) house for weeks, following a devastating explosion at the pub that not only destroyed their livelihoods, but also their home.
As viewers of the BBC soap will remember, the big 40th anniversary week saw the residents gather for the wedding of Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton).
Whilst everyone was enjoying the celebrations, devious Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) was trying to flee the area, accidentally crashed his car into the barrel store and ignited a number of gas bottles.
With a number of locals trapped inside, it soon became clear that not everybody would make it out safely.
Unfortunately, beloved market trader Martin Fowler (James Bye) lost his life, and the community was torn apart.
In upcoming scenes, the Vic’s big reopening is one step closer when Linda receives some crucial information.
The insurance company call to tell her that they will be paying out, much to her relief.
As she begins to make plans, her heavy-handed mum Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) begins to interfere by taking charge of the situation.
Linda begins to vent her anger to Denise Fox (Diane Parish), with her sister Kim (Tameka Empson) suggesting that she uses her diverts attention elsewhere – and gets back on the dating game.
Its now been over two years since she lost her beloved Mick (Danny Dyer) at sea, and she’s been reluctant to move on since then.
Instead of focussing on her own love life, Linda decides to take Kim’s advice on board and instead find a new fella for her son Johnny (Charlie Suff) instead.
In a bid to play matchmaker, she sets him up with Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison), and before long her plan gains momentum.
Eventually she caves to Kim’s demands, and allows her to find her a date. She’s nervous before meeting prospective man Jeff, but is given a pep talk by Johnny and it seems to go swimmingly.
Elsewhere, with it quickly becoming apparent that The Vic will be out of action for quite a while longer, Gina and Anna Knight (Francesca Henry and Molly Rainford) each ask Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) for a job at Harry’s Barn.
To their delight, Nicola tells them there is a job – but only one, and they’ll have to compete against one another to land the position.
Her son Harry (Elijah Holloway) watches over the girls as they get into the swing of things behind the barn, and he takes great pleasure in winding Gina up on the shift.
Last month, EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw confirmed when we will see the refurbished boozer on our screens.
In a behind the scenes video, he revealed the pub will reopen its doors in May.
Speaking on EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In, Harriet Thorpe said: ‘I wanted to redecorate this place from the get go. I want it on trend, I want rose gold.’
Colin Salmon, who plays George Knight, added: ‘I’d like a jazz bar. I’d like to turn it into Ronnie Scott’s.’
Asked if it was going to be different to what we’d seen before, Harriet replied: ‘No, it will be exactly the same!’
