Suspicions grow amongst the Albert Square residents in EastEnders next week when Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) begins to receive blackmail letters.
Her mental health has seriously deteriorated in recent weeks, after framing her rapist Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) for the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
As we all know, it was actually Linda who was responsible, after driving a meat thermometer through his back to stop him throttling her best pal Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
The ladies then buried his body in a shallow grave underneath the café floor, and in true Albert Square style it wasn’t long before it was discovered.
Having to think fast, they planted the weapon in Dean’s flat and Linda alerted the police. When they asked why she didn’t act sooner, she cited her lack of faith in the justice system after he evaded punishment for her sexual assault.
Linda hits the bottle again (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Rattled by the thought of an innocent man being sent down, she has hit the bottle once again.
In upcoming scenes, she’s set to get a further shock when Fraser (Greg Esplin), an acquaintance of Dean’s, turns up at The Queen Vic.
Fraser arrives and offers Linda a deal, but her mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) swoops in and orders him to leave.
What does he propose?
Once alone, it becomes clear to her son Johnny (Charlie Suff) that she’s tempted by the offer, but he desperately tries to assure her that it would be a wrong move before she starts drinking again.
The next morning she wakes up with a sore head, and Elaine becomes concerned that she’s missed youngest daughter Annie’s dentist appointment. Linda quickly defends herself, and Elaine offers to take her instead.
Later, she’s horrified to hear that Annie’s dental care has slipped and she begins to wonder whether she’s letting her parenting go out the window.
As Dean’s trial grows closer, she turns to Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) – who is very much privy to what really happened last Christmas – for some advice.
Back at the pub, a discovery shocks her to the core. A blackmail letter has been delivered, and she and Johnny attempt to determine the sender.
As the week progresses, another letter lands on her doorstep and Linda loses control, causing a scene and accusing the patrons of The Vic.
Johnny rushes her upstairs to the living quarters as she breaks down, whilst unbeknownst to them, the blackmailer is visiting Dean in prison.
Who is it?!
