EastEnders confirms dark Hawkins family secret as arrival is finally explained

EastEnders' newest family, The Hawkins, dropped a bombshell in tonight's episode that explained why they all arrived in Walford looking for somewhere to live. Nicola's sisters Gemma and Jodie, brother-in-law Ned, nephew Ryder and mum Rose all turned up on the Square earlier this week, saying the sale of their house had fallen through at the last minute.

Nicola initially wouldn't put them up after finding out that Gemma had lied about their mum Rose also needing somewhere to stay. As viewers know, Nicola and her mum have had a turbulent relationship, with Rose blaming Nicola for her abusive father's death.

Last night, Gemma tried to get Nicola and Rose to make amends by locking them in a van together and forcing them to talk. But the bad blood between mother and daughter remained when Rose wouldn't admit her husband was an abuser.

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However, Nicola's partner George later told her it might be worth her tolerating Rose if it meant getting her sisters Gemma and Jodie back.

Tonight, Nicola informed Gemma and Ned that she'd decided to let them all stay at hers — but there would be some ground rules.

Back at home, Nicola laid down the law, giving out rules including no guests and no noise when baby Ivy is sleeping.

But, later, when Jodie thought her and Gemma were alone, she said she doesn't want Nicola's house "going up in flames too". Just then, a horrified Nicola entered the room.

When Nicola asked what she meant, Jodie admitted that they'd deliberately set fire to their house to claim the insurance money. Gemma admitted it was true, but said insurance company didn't pay out.

Ned later revealed that he was the one who decided to burn the house down after they fell into debt with "the wrong people". But Nicola was furious, saying the family could only stay a week at most because she had enough on her plate with a newborn and her business.

Later that night, Ned went to visit Nicola at Harry's Barn and said he would do everything in his power to minimise Nicola's stress.

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Ned told Nicola that, after holding her family together for 20 years and taking in Rose and Jodie after their father died, the least she could do was hear him out.

Ned said he would help Nicola out at the bar and with Ivy and, as soon as they could stand on their own two feet, they'd be out of her house. As a result, Nicola once again agreed the family could stay as long as they needed.

But is their something more going on between Nicola and Ned? After all, why did Teddy ask George if Ned was there when he was told of his former in-laws arrival last month?

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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