Hold onto your hats, hurricane Hawkins has arrived in EastEnders.
Poor Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) thought she’d seen the last of her unruly clan when she ordered them to leave Albert Square two weeks ago.
Sisters Gemma (Patricia Potter) and Jodie (Anna Constable) had arrived unannounced, holding a man hostage in the boot of their car. Nicola waded in on their drama, but was stopped in her tracks when enraged mother Rose (Marian McLoughlin) caught them in the act.
It soon transpired that Rose blamed her eldest daughter for the death of her husband, and was in no mood to forgive her.
However, the women may now be forced to build bridges, as the Hawkins family are about to settle in Walford.
Patricia Potter and Jamie Bamber as Gemma and Ned Hawkins. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
In today’s episode, Gemma was behind the wheel again – this time in a van – as she plowed into the Square. The Queen Vic’s sign went flying, and she was forced to apologise to landlords Kat and Alfie Moon (Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie).
Joined by son Ryder (Felix Uff) and Jodie, Gemma explained to Nicola that they needed somewhere to bed down for a few nights.
Nic’ was reluctant, though upon hearing that they’d have to stay in a grotty B&B, eventually relented. There was one condition, however: Rose was to come nowhere near her home.
Suddenly, Gemma’s husband Ned (Jamie Bamber) and Rose pulled up, confirming that Gemma had lied about their circumstances and that they’d actually need somewhere to stay for three weeks.
Anna Constable, Felix Uff, Marian McLoughlin, Patricia Potter and Jamie Bamber as Jodie, Ryder, Rose, Gemma and Ned Hawkins. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Nicola asserted that they’d all have to find alternative accommodation, and so son Harry (Elijah Holloway) offered a room for Ryder and Jodie at his flat. Rose headed to Peacock Palace, while Gemma and Ned reassessed their situation over a drink at The Vic.
Ned tried to smooth things over with Kat, offering to pay for the pub sign to be fixed, when he stumbled across an old friend – Alfie.
After a tour of the boozer, Alfie offered his mate a place to stay, much to Nicola’s horror.
Her life may never be the same again!
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