The tension in Walford reaches explosive levels next week as secrets unravel, alliances fracture, and boundaries are dangerously crossed. Nicola and Teddy Mitchell find themselves spiraling into a vortex of guilt and desperation over Shireen’s death, and they’re about to learn that covering up the past may come at a high price.

The week kicks off with Teddy pressing Nicola for the truth about what really happened to Shireen. He’s furious, believing Harry has a right to know, but Nicola warns him that such knowledge could shatter their son. Though Teddy agrees to stay silent for now, he’s clearly brewing a plan. When Barney, their son, begins to sense the tension, Nicola finds herself questioning the lies they’ve built their lives around. Teddy finally tells her to trust him—he has a way forward, but even Nicola is blindsided by what he’s planning.

Meanwhile, Ravi Gulati is watching his daughter Avani grow closer to Joel Marshall with rising unease—and not without reason. Ravi’s instincts are validated when Avani’s friendship with Joel begins to veer into dangerous territory. When Priya learns the police won’t pursue Avani’s complaint, she hides the truth, even pressuring Amy not to reveal it. But once Amy and Avani mend their friendship, the truth comes out—and Avani is livid. She lashes out, tired of being manipulated, and storms away from home, leaving Priya to reckon with the fallout.

The week gets messier as Joel brings vodka to a hangout with Avani and the boys, including Tommy. The drinking escalates, and Joel—barely concealing his predatory side—starts giving Tommy disturbing advice about girls, humiliating him in the process. While this is happening, Priya loses her cool at Harry’s Barn when Callum and his colleagues arrive, and Ravi is once again forced to defuse the situation.

Johnny Carter is also facing personal disappointment. After finally mustering the courage to ask Felix on a date, he’s rejected—Felix already has plans. But hope glimmers later when Felix admits the date didn’t go well, and he and Johnny share a cozy movie night—only to be interrupted by the boisterous Knight women.

Back to the Mitchells—Nicola sells Harry’s Barn in a desperate attempt to pay off Benji, but Teddy surprises her by securing a deal that doesn’t require it. Yet just as things seem to stabilize, Nicola is alone at the Barn when an intruder appears—an ominous sign that their buried secrets may not stay buried much longer.

The spiral continues when Avani, angry and disillusioned, meets with drug dealer Declan. He refuses to front her weed, but Joel swoops in and pays. Later, while sharing the weed, Joel makes an inappropriate move on Avani, marking a dangerous and manipulative turn in their dynamic. Earlier, when Joel insults her behind her back and Barney defends her, Joel twists the story and convinces Avani that Barney was the problem—another seed of manipulation planted.

By the time Thursday rolls around, Nicola is left to face her reckoning at the Barn, and Joel’s predatory behavior deepens as he isolates Avani further, dragging her into his twisted world.

As secrets mount and tempers flare, Walford is heading toward a fiery storm. From Nicola’s unraveling lies to Joel’s disturbing influence, one thing is certain: not everyone will emerge from this week unscathed.