Clare Bates returns tomorrow, but her traumatic reunion with Nigel leaves her devastated
Julie finally called Clare, but was it the right thing to do?
Clare Bates’ return to Walford was perfectly set up in tonight’s EastEnders as Julie left her a voicemail asking her to come and visit Nigel.
But when Clare arrives tomorrow, things don’t quite go as planned when she comes face-to-face with her stepdad after all these years.
Phil begged Julie to do the right thing
Tonight’s EastEnders saw Julie still refusing to contact Clare, despite Nigel asking to see her. Phil was adamant that she needed to be told that Nigel was going into a care home and even opened up about his own past.
He told Julie that he might not have been perfect when his own mum died, but he wouldn’t have wanted to have missed out on spending time with her for anything.
Julie was adamant that Clare only remembers she is Nigel’s stepdaughter when it suits her and stood firm.
Julie Lexi told Phil that Clare has a right to know Nigel was so unwell (Credit: BBC)
Lexi got upset about Nigel not seeing Clare in EastEnders
Later, Phil took Lexi to the cafe, needing to update her on what is next for Nigel. He knew he had to tread carefully after everything Lexi went through when she lost Lola, but Lexi just wanted the facts.
Lexi told her grandad that everyone gave her half information when her mum was ill, but this time around, she wants to know everything. When she asked how long Nigel had left, Phil cautiously told her it could just be a few months.
When Lexi asked if he was sad, Phil told her that of course he was, but that he was mostly cross with Julie. Lexi assumed this was because she wanted Nigel to go into a home, but Phil told her it was because Julie won’t call Clare.
Lexi talked some sense into Julie
Lexi was furious at the thought of Nigel not getting to see his daughter. She marched over to The Vic to see Julie.
Julie defended her decision not to call Clare. But she was left wondering if she was making the right choice when Lexi pointed out she would have been heartbroken if someone had taken away her chance to say goodbye to her mum when she was dying.
Given food for thought, Julie went home and finally made the call. When Clare didn’t pick up, she left a voicemail telling her that Nigel wasn’t well.
It’s no secret that Clare arrives tomorrow after getting Julie’s message. But was Julie right to hold off from calling Clare?
The drama continues tomorrow when Clare returns to EastEnders
Tomorrow sees Clare arrive at No.55, but it isn’t long before she and Julie are arguing.
Phil warns them that there can’t be any drama at the hospital when they see Nigel. But it soon turns out that is the least of their worries.
When Clare arrives to see her stepdad, she is devastated when he doesn’t recognise her and gets upset.
Later, Clare bonds with Lexi, who has more words of wisdom. She tells Clare she needs to make up with Nigel while she still can. Will Clare listen?
