Arriving back in Walford for Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral next week, it soon becomes clear that Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) has an ulterior motive.

It’s been twenty years since she was last in the area, and a lot has changed in that time.

Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) gets a huge surprise when her half-sister shows up in a black cab, just moments after a heart to heart with ex-husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

She’s immediately thrown to see her after so long, but has questions as to why she’s not joined by long-term partner Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker).

Instead, new man Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) is on her arm, and his teenage son Joel (Max Murray) is in tow.

Word soon spreads about Vicki’s return, and, under the belief that Spencer will be with her, his brother Alfie (Shane Richie) and his girlfriend Kat (Jessie Wallace) dart around to see them.

They’re shocked to learn that they have separated, and when Kat casts doubt over whether Vicki is telling the whole truth, she is forced to come clean with the whole story.

As the week goes on, Joel acquaints himself with the local youngsters, whilst Ross tries his best to get to know the Beale family.

Before that, he has a more pressing matter. Sitting down for a cuppa with Vicki, he asks her whether she’s found opportunity to ask Sharon for money yet.

She’s unsure whether it’s an appropriate time, after hearing from Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) about how much Sharon has struggled in the wake of Martin’s death.

Desperately needing a solution, she confronts her distant cousin Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and asks for a loan from him instead.

Why does Vicki need the cash?

Later, Sharon learns from Ian about Vicki’s big ask, and confronts her over the matter. Vicki quickly dismisses any concerns, and wriggles her way out of an awkward situation.

What is she hiding?

On whether Vicki can be trusted, Alice Haig told us: ‘You’re speaking to the wrong person because of course I think Vicki can be trusted.’

‘I think Vicki is one of those characters that is a good person who often gets herself into bad situations.

‘What I will say is that not everything is quite as it seems, and with Vicki in general, I would say she responds from quite an emotional place and over the course of the next few weeks.

‘That response is going to get her into some sticky situations.’