Next week in EastEnders, Harvey Monroe’s carefully kept secret shatters his world as his affair with Kathy Cotton is dramatically exposed — leaving Jean Slater heartbroken and betrayed in front of all of Walford.

The turmoil begins innocently enough, with Harvey organising what he claims is a family caravan holiday. But, as viewers know, his real plan was to escape for some private time with Kathy. Unfortunately, Jean misreads the situation and believes he’s planning a family getaway for everyone, including daughter Stacey. Harvey, caught off guard and unable to come clean, agrees to the family version of the trip.

Things start falling apart almost immediately. Jean refuses to go on the trip unless Stacey comes too — despite Stacey still being withdrawn and mourning the loss of Martin Fowler, her ex-husband and Lily’s father figure. Stacey’s reluctance causes tension with young Lily, who’s struggling with her grief and lashing out emotionally. Harvey attempts to bridge the gap, encouraging Stacey to come for Lily’s sake, but the attempt backfires. Lily doesn’t want Stacey around, and Harvey finds himself under immense emotional strain.

Needing a break from the chaos, Harvey retreats to the café, looking for solace in Kathy’s company — but she gives him the cold shoulder. Feeling unwanted and deeply conflicted, Harvey spirals further, burdened by guilt and emotional confusion.

Meanwhile, despite all the friction, the Slaters band together. With the caravan option no longer available (thanks to Alfie Moon breaking the news), they decide to turn their home into a makeshift campsite. It’s a heartwarming moment of resilience, but for Harvey, the emotional weight grows heavier.

Then comes a massive shock: Jean proposes to Harvey. Caught completely off guard, Harvey freezes. Jean, interpreting his stunned silence as rejection, flees in tears and confides in Kathy — unaware that Kathy is the very reason behind Harvey’s hesitation.

Harvey knows he can’t keep up the charade and decides to finally come clean. But once again, events spiral out of control. His attempt to tell the truth is misread by Jean as an enthusiastic “yes,” and before he knows it, he’s unwittingly engaged.

As Walford buzzes with preparations for the couple’s engagement announcement, Harvey wrestles with panic. Enter Cindy Beale, the soap’s queen of chaos. She catches Harvey sneaking away to Kathy’s back gate, where the two share a stolen kiss. Hiding in the shadows, Cindy records the moment — and she’s ready to use it.

While Kathy and her son Ian prepare to celebrate the birth of baby Jimmy at the Queen Vic, Cindy seethes on the sidelines. She feels shut out by Peter following the baby’s arrival and is ready to unleash her rage.

Cindy’s timing couldn’t be more calculated — or more devastating. As George and Elaine Knight help the Slaters arrange a cheerful celebration for Harvey and Jean’s engagement, Cindy seizes her moment. In front of all the guests, she plays the incriminating footage of Harvey kissing Kathy, blowing the lid off the affair.

The Queen Vic descends into chaos. Gasps echo through the room as the footage rolls, and Jean is left completely humiliated, staring at the man she just proposed to — and the friend who betrayed her.

Viewers are in for a storm of emotion. Jean, who’s been through her share of heartbreak, now faces yet another devastating blow. For Harvey, the consequences of his double life come crashing down with brutal speed. His attempts to balance affection, guilt, and cowardice have not only ruined his relationship with Jean but could destroy his friendship with Kathy too — not to mention his reputation in the Square.

Kathy, meanwhile, will be forced to confront the backlash of her decision. Her cold dismissal of Harvey earlier in the week clearly masked deeper feelings, which came to light during their secret kiss. But now that kiss is public knowledge, she may have lost both her lover and her standing in Walford.

And as for Cindy — her explosive reveal wasn’t just about revenge. It was a power move, and she’s now holding the spotlight, regardless of the cost to others. Her feud with the Beales and the Slaters is far from over, and this dramatic play may only be the beginning.

In the fallout, the big questions loom: Will Jean ever be able to forgive either of them? Will Harvey try to salvage things, or walk away from both women entirely? And is Cindy just getting started in her campaign of revenge?

As the dust settles on a night of public humiliation and private betrayal, one thing is clear: EastEnders is heading into an emotional storm — and not everyone will come out unscathed.

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