Walford is about to be rocked by a chain of events that spirals out of control when a shady deal, a desperate break-in, and an unexpected victim leave the community shaken — and one man fighting for his life.

It all kicks off when Oscar finds himself cornered by local hard man Mike, who demands a staggering £5,000 by the end of the day. Mike makes it clear this isn’t just about money — it’s about “protection.” He’s blunt: pay up or face the consequences. Oscar tries to stall, claiming he’s working on it, but Mike’s patience is paper thin.

Lauren is horrified when she learns about the debt, pointing out that Mike had already been in their home once before — leading to a terrifying moment when Oscar nearly attacked Peter, thinking Mike was breaking in. She urges Oscar to go to Uncle Jack for help, but Oscar refuses, insisting that involving the police will only make things worse. He admits that his previous run-ins with Mike stemmed from “snitching” on him, and this time, the man seems completely unhinged.

Under pressure and out of options, Oscar starts thinking of ways to raise quick cash. He pitches a “brilliant business plan” — a mobile chippy van down at the park — claiming it could make steady profits from dog walkers, kids, and families. He insists it’s for the business, not himself, but conveniently, the start-up cost comes to… you guessed it… £5,000. Lauren isn’t fooled, and shuts him down instantly.

Elsewhere, Jay makes a tidy profit selling a car, and Oscar, sensing opportunity, begs for an advance. Reluctantly, Jay agrees. But before anything can be sorted, chaos erupts — Patrick is found unconscious after what appears to be a burglary gone wrong.

Paramedics rush to the scene as panicked neighbours gather outside. Lauren demands answers from Oscar, suspicious of his movements that night. The police begin door-to-door inquiries, hoping to find fingerprints, DNA, or any witnesses who might identify the culprit.

It’s not long before the truth starts to seep out. Patrick remembers seeing a young man in a balaclava fleeing his home — and although he didn’t catch a full glimpse of his face, he did spot something very telling: an ankle tag. That detail leaves little doubt in Patrick’s mind. He knows exactly who it was.

Lauren confronts Oscar privately, warning him that if Patrick talks, he could be facing serious charges — maybe even attempted murder if Patrick’s condition worsens. Oscar swears he never hit Patrick, but Lauren makes it clear they can’t risk the police digging deeper. She orders him to return the stolen money anonymously, slipping it into Patrick’s letterbox before the authorities connect the dots.

But that’s easier said than done. The cash is tainted — literally. Forensics could trace it, and a local opportunist, Howie, tries to blackmail Oscar, claiming he’ll go to the police unless he gets a cut. Oscar denies everything, but Howie is far from convinced.

Meanwhile, Jack is dealing with financial woes of his own, unable to produce the money he promised for his son. As tensions mount, the police presence in Walford grows, with officers checking bins and searching for discarded clothing from the break-in. Oscar’s panic spikes as he tries to destroy evidence without drawing attention, waiting for nightfall to dispose of the incriminating items.

Back at the hospital, Patrick remains determined not to go home just yet, even though doctors suggest he may be discharged soon. While he plays down any fear, those close to him can see the impact the break-in has had. The community is left shaken, questioning how someone could target an elderly man in such a brutal way.

By the end of the week, suspicions are swirling, secrets are piling up, and Oscar is running out of room to manoeuvre. He’s caught between a dangerous criminal demanding payment, a neighbour who can identify him, a blackmailer holding leverage, and family members starting to lose faith in him.

But in Walford, the truth never stays buried for long — and when it surfaces, it could destroy more than just Oscar’s freedom.