Linda (Kellie Bright) in EastEnders has finally accepted the loss of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) after the police arrived with heartbreaking news about her one true love.
Mick vanished at sea over the holidays after scheming Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) drove her car off a cliff into deep waters with Linda inside.
The landlord overcame his fear of water to save his beloved L, who insisted on him prioritising Janine and her unborn child. After doing so, he returned to the sea in search of Linda, unaware that she had already reached safety.
Mick then vanished in the rough waves and has yet to be found, but it is assumed that he died in the icy waters.
Meanwhile, Linda was struggling to cope in the aftermath of his disappearance and decided to leave the Square to spend time with her children, but when she returned this week, she discovered that Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) had reopened the Vic in her absence.
There was a lot of animosity at first, but Alfie eventually convinced Linda that he was only trying to help. Linda, on the other hand, shocked him by revealing that she intends to sell the pub.
The landlady reiterated her intention to leave Walford on Friday’s (January 20) episode of the BBC One soap, stating that she cannot stay in Walford without Mick.
But her efforts to expedite the sale backfired, as she discovered from a solicitor that she cannot sell the pub without Mick’s permission, and because they have yet to find a body, he cannot be declared dead, leaving her in limbo.
Meanwhile, Alfie decided to hold a special vigil in Mick’s honour after learning that the day in question was actually the popular landlord’s birthday.
Linda was moved by his efforts, but her focus was quickly diverted when the police arrived with news that they’d discovered Mick’s wallet.
The matriarch was heartbroken, and she burst into tears after discovering a picture of herself and her one true love from their adolescence inside the water-damaged wallet, stunned to realise Mick had kept it all these years.
Linda collapsed on the bench as she ran out of the public house.
Alfie and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) found her and comforted her, revealing that they will support her through her grief but advising her to stay close to those she loves – and those who love her.
Will Linda listen to their advice? Will she continue to live in the Square? Will she even be able to keep the Vic?
EastEnders returns to BBC One on Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m.
