EastEnders' Nicola Mitchell faces disaster – but there's a surprise lifeline

EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell is forced to confront her mysterious history with Ned Hawkins this week when he offers to save her from financial ruin.

She makes it clear she’d rather see Harry’s Barn go bust than accept his help, so what exactly is the beef with her brother-in-law?

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"Having her family back in her life has been tricky for Nicola," begins our EastEnders insider. "We know all about her complicated relationship with manipulative mum Rose, but there’s clearly history with Ned too.

"Some big hints are about to be dropped about what went on between them, and Nicola really doesn’t want Ned to have any kind of hold over her – but why?"

With a new baby and a long-lost family keeping her occupied, Nicola has neglected running Harry’s Barn, which hasn’t exactly been turning punters away in recent months.

The situation is much worse than the bar boss realises, as she learns when she’s told her beloved business is making such a loss it could be shut down by the end of the week – unless she can magic £25,000 out of thin air!

Feeling her sister’s pain at this predicament, Gemma vows to drum up new business at Harry’s Barn. Managing to secure it as the venue for Nugget’s upcoming birthday party, Gemma hopes it can generate good word of mouth and tempt customers back through the doors.

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Not convinced it’s going to be enough, Nicola realises she’ll need to take drastic action to preserve her livelihood…

"When the bailiffs show up at Harry’s Barn, it’s a massive reality check for Nicola," says our source. "A teenage boy’s birthday bash isn’t going to wipe the debts, so Nicola and her clan get their heads together to come up with a rescue plan. They decide to throw a fundraising event, but will it be enough to turn the tide?"

Meanwhile, Ned wants to help and tracks down his old business partner, who he hopes can help them out of this financial hole, and heads off with Harry to pay him a visit. While amiable Ned shows a darker side to get what he wants from his former associate, back at Harry’s Barn, the Hawkins’ fundraiser is well underway.

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However, the locals are confused about which causes the event is actually raising money for and get the distinct impression they’re lining Nicola’s own pockets!

The night fails to generate enough dosh, then Ned arrives and whispers to Nic he’s secured enough funds to wipe the debts – but he doesn’t get the reaction he was expecting.

"Nicola flatly refuses Ned’s cash and seems offended he’s even offered!" remarks our insider. "She tells Harry she doesn’t even want the rest of the family to know about his uncle’s attempt to help. Is proud Nicola just embarrassed she needs bailing out, or does she not trust Ned? If not, why not?"

Not taking no for an answer, and knowing Nicola has no other options, Ned repeats his proposition. Will Nicola accept?

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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