Next week in Walford, tensions hit boiling point for Priya Nandra-Hart as frustration over the police’s dismissal of her daughter’s complaint erupts into a full-blown confrontation – and a disastrous night out that threatens to shatter what’s left of her family bonds.
At the heart of the drama is Avani’s recent complaint against the police — one that Priya had hoped would bring accountability and justice. But when Jack Branning breaks the news that the case won’t be going any further, Priya is left reeling. In an attempt to shield her daughter from the blow, she does what Priya often does best — she keeps it quiet.
And not just from Avani.
In a risky move, she also pulls Amy Mitchell into the secret, asking her to stay silent. But secrets rarely stay buried in Walford, and this one has a particularly short shelf life.
Wanting to lift Avani’s spirits — and earn a few much-needed mum points — Priya suggests a chilled takeaway night with the family. But plans quickly shift when Avani asks to have friends over instead. Ever the people-pleaser, Priya agrees, stepping back and heading to Harry’s Barn with Ravi for what should have been a low-key night.
But Priya’s mind is anything but calm. Behind her forced smiles and drinks is the ticking time bomb of rage and helplessness over the police decision. She’s already made one bold move — marching to the station to lodge a fresh complaint — but it backfires when her emotions boil over and Callum Highway steps in to de-escalate the scene. The clash is sharp and public, and Callum’s presence only further infuriates her.
Back at the barn, the pressure only builds.
What starts as an evening escape turns chaotic when Callum shows up again — this time off-duty, with colleagues in tow. For Priya, it’s a slap in the face. Fueled by booze, bitterness, and maternal guilt, she lashes out, confronting the officers and making a scene that forces Ravi to step in and haul her away before things truly explode.
But the damage is already done.
The next morning, Priya wakes with more than a hangover — she’s got a fractured family and a furious daughter to contend with. Amy, wracked with guilt, has already told Avani the truth: the police complaint was dropped days ago, and her mum kept it from her.
Avani, hurt and betrayed, storms out — and when she returns, she unleashes her fury on Priya. It’s a moment of reckoning for the embattled mother, who realizes that her attempts to protect her daughter have only driven a deeper wedge between them.
Looking for guidance, Priya turns to two very different sources of wisdom.
First, Suki Panesar — never one to mince words — advises her to take accountability and apologise to Callum. It’s not an easy pill for Priya to swallow, but it might be the first step in calming the waters.
Then comes a heart-to-heart with Yolande Trueman, whose honest and empathetic words strike a chord. Yolande knows a thing or two about parenting mistakes and the long road back to trust — and her insight proves to be exactly what Priya needs.
Inspired by their talk, Priya starts to realize that trying to be the “cool mum” or the “protector” isn’t what Avani needs most. What her daughter truly needs is honesty, consistency, and a parent who’s not afraid to admit when they’ve gone wrong.
But can Priya undo the damage before it’s too late?
As Ravi watches from the sidelines, increasingly concerned by Priya’s volatility and her desperation to control every situation, he may begin to question how far she’s willing to go — and what the long-term cost might be for their family.
One thing is for sure: Priya’s world is spinning, and unless she finds a way to regain control, the fragile peace she’s trying to hold onto could completely collapse.
Will her apology to Callum help smooth things over? Can she rebuild the trust with Avani before her daughter pulls away for good? Or is Priya on the verge of losing the very family she’s been fighting to protect?
Buckle up, EastEnders fans — because next week, Harry’s Barn is serving up more than just drama… it’s a full-blown emotional storm.
