The Slaters spooked after unexpected ordeal as all eyes are on Zoe in EastEnders

Zoe’s secrets are coming dangerously close to the surface… (Picture: BBC)

Walford is rarely quiet for long, and this week’s EastEnders proves no exception as the Slaters are left reeling following a harrowing ordeal, one that puts Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) firmly in the spotlight and has everyone questioning what secrets she’s still hiding.

Still shaken from the events of the previous night, tensions are running high at No.31. Zoe desperately tries to justify herself to Kat, Alfie, and Stacey, but her evasiveness only raises more red flags. Her reluctance to fully open up about her past starts to weigh heavily on the family, with even the usually supportive Alfie struggling to mask his suspicions.

As the Slaters try to make sense of Zoe’s erratic behaviour, a familiar face makes a surprise return to Walford. Sharon Watts is back, and it doesn’t take long before she’s pulled into the chaos. While Vicki and Zack are thrilled to welcome her home, Sharon is distracted when she spots Zoe lurking outside the Slater house. Suspicion immediately kicks in, and Sharon wastes no time heading to The Vic to confront her old foe.

Sharon might have been willing to put the past to bed,but Vicki’s not! (Picture: BBC)

What starts as a tense face-off turns unexpectedly civil when Sharon and Zoe call a truce, though viewers can expect plenty of unease bubbling beneath the surface. That tension carries over to the café, where Sharon has an awkward run-in with Phil. Despite the uncomfortable reunion, she extends an olive branch and asks Phil to babysit Albie for the evening, which he surprisingly agrees to.

But just as Sharon attempts to focus on reconnecting with her loved ones, she’s pulled into more drama when Vicki’s mounting debt comes to light. Overwhelmed and frustrated, Vicki storms out, only to cross paths with Zoe in the Square. Words are exchanged, tempers flare, and it isn’t long before a full-blown fight erupts. Zack and  Anthony intervene, but in the scuffle, Zack ends up getting hurt.

Later, as emotions settle and Sharon tries to enjoy a rare moment of peace, she and Phil share a warm and surprisingly heartfelt exchange. However, her brief happiness is shattered when she returns home to find Vicki and Zack nursing their wounds after the confrontation with Zoe.

Sharon’s attempt at peace clearly didn’t work… (Picture: BBC)

Enough is enough. Sharon storms into The Vic for a second showdown with Zoe, and this time, things explode. In front of a packed pub, Zoe makes a jaw-dropping admission that silences the room. While the nature of her revelation remains under wraps, it’s clear that it changes the game entirely.

Sharon, unable to accept what she’s heard, lashes out, her anger getting the better of her. Kat quickly steps in, fiercely defending Zoe, and orders both Sharon and Vicki to leave The Vic immediately.

Later, a shaken Sharon finds herself in the café, where she bumps into Ian. Picking up on her distress, Ian invites her back to his place to see Kathy, where they reflect on the unfolding drama. Ian, ever the schemer, sows doubt in Sharon’s mind, insisting Zoe is lying and manipulating the situation.

Meanwhile, back at The Vic, Kat and Alfie are left with more questions than answers as they privately confront Zoe about her shocking confession. Is she telling the truth? Or is this just another calculated move?

Will Zoe finally let Kat in? (Picture: BBC)

Elsewhere in Walford, things take a turn for Stacey and Lily as Sean throws them a lifeline, an offer to move to Brazil and start over. Lily is clearly tempted and tries to convince her mum to accept, seeing it as a chance for a fresh start far away from the Square’s never-ending drama. But any decisions are quickly postponed when a fiery argument between Kat and Zoe spills into Stacey’s, shattering the peace.

Amid all the tension, Kat makes a touching gesture, enlisting Stacey’s help to plant a memorial plant in the Square gardens for Zoe’s late daughter. The emotional moment brings Zoe closer to Kat, and for the first time in weeks, the pair begin to find common ground.

But in true EastEnders fashion, just as one fire begins to die down, another is lit. With Sharon on a warpath, Vicki spiralling, and Zoe’s past creeping ever closer to the surface, Walford is bracing itself for more twists, secrets, and showdowns.

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