EastEnders' Suki and Eve rocked by surprise arrival in new adoption drama

EastEnders’ Suki and Eve Panesar-Unwin’s plan to adopt is thrown into serious jeopardy next week, when young Ria’s biological mum Harleen arrives in Walford! Will their hope of becoming parents be ripped away from them?

"Suki and Eve have overcome so much in their pursuit to start a family together," begins our EastEnders source.

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"They’ve worked hard to build a solid foundation for Ria and have really bonded with her. The idea that she could be taken away from them by Harleen is heartbreaking, but they must consider what is best for Ria."

The week gets off to a cute start after Eve and Sharon arrange a play date between Ria and Albie and the two women bond – but their fun is cut short when Suki’s daughter Ash bursts in with news of her divorce.

As Sharon offers to babysit and takes the kids back to her place, Eve stays at The Vic to console Ash.

After one drink leads to another, Suki is appalled when she arrives to find her wife and her daughter drunk – while choosing that moment to announce that Ria’s biological mum has been in touch and wants to meet up!

"Suki has bad news to deliver, and her mood isn’t improved upon finding Eve and Ash drinking," says our insider. "This meeting could change everything for Suki and Eve; they have no idea what Harleen’s motivations are, or how she’ll react when they meet her."

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Angry that her mum isn’t showing her any sympathy during her tough divorce, Ash decides to swerve the meeting until Eve convinces her to come with them to chat with Harleen at Knight Fusion.

It’s an awkward moment to say the least coming face to face with Ria’s mum, and the atmosphere fails to improve when Harleen spies Suki and Ash having an argument in the restaurant kitchen!

"Suki and Eve want to make the best impression on Harleen to prove that they’re appropriate guardians," our spy explains. "So, Harleen walking in Suki and Ash during a blazing row is less than ideal, and leaves the couple feeling thoroughly deflated."

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Afterwards, Suki comforts her despondent wife as the pair process the day’s events. Meanwhile, Ash encourages her mum to see the situation from Harleen’s point of view, leading Suki to open up to Sharon about the predicament.

As Sharon urges her friend to fight for Ria, will Suki and Eve realise that their dream is not yet lost?

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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