Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) takes a mysterious phone call in EastEnders next week, as he makes a plan to Walford permanently.
The newcomer makes quite an impression when he arrives with girlfriend Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) this week, with a number of residents wondering why she had separated from her long term partner Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker).
Following some questioning from Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), she is forced to come clean.
On the surface it seems that Ross – with son Joel (Max Murray) – have arrived to support Vicki at her uncle Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral.
However, before long, their ulterior motive is realised.
Ross urges Vicki to ask her sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) for some cash, but she feels guilty asking such a favour given she hasn’t seen her for the last two decades.
She also notes that Sharon has dealt badly with her grief for Martin, and has had a turbulent time with ex-husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) during his mental health battle.
With nowhere left to turn, she asks cousin Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) instead.
When Sharon discovers her monetary plight, she confronts Vicki for the truth, but she manages to dismiss her concerns.
On the eve of Martin’s funeral, tensions begin to rise between the women, but Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) gives her friend some food for thought.
Will Sharon agree to help her out?
In upcoming scenes, the two are distraught ahead of the service and try to find a way to get through the traumatic day.
Ross can see that Vicki is in a bad way, and suggests that he and Joel come along to support her.
Sharon reckons that it could be idea – he’d be coming face to face with Alfie again, and given his anger towards him, things could escalate again.
Realising that he should probably put things right, he apologises for upsetting Alfie, but makes it clear that he hasn’t forgotten what has happened.
Later, he takes a mysterious call with an unknown person, and decides to make it his mission to convinced Vicki that they should stick around in Albert Square for a while longer.
She isn’t sure it’s the right decision, and has already booked flights back to Australia.
Realising that it isn’t going to be an easy to win her over, he enlists Ian to persuade her, spelling out that Mark Jnr should be the one who supports her grieving mother Michelle, and not Vicki.
At the end of the week, Michelle calls Vicki – and it becomes clear that Ross’ plan has work.
What is he planning, and why is he so desperate not to return home?
