EastEnders’ Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) blew up at old rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) on Thursday, blaming her for Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) death.
Martin perished after he was crushed by a steel beam in the aftermath of the explosion that tore through the Queen Vic.
Prior to his death, he had helped many others escape the ruins of the pub but stayed behind to save ex-wife Stacey, who had become trapped in the ladies’ toilets.
After freeing her from the rubble, Martin and Stacey shared an emotional reunion before disaster struck and a beam fell on him.
In his dying moments, Martin proposed to Stacey and they made plans to spend the rest of their lives together, before he later passed away in heartbreaking scenes.
Since then, Stacey has been hiding her and Martin’s reunion from his other ex-wife Ruby, who he had rekindled things with in recent months.
But after her daughter Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) overheard Stacey confiding about her reunion with Martin to best mate Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), the truth came spilling out during a memorial event on Thursday.
Ruby had gathered the locals at Harry’s Barn to remember Martin, but Lily became increasingly annoyed at some of the choices Ruby had made, feeling they didn’t reflect who her dad really was.
As Ruby then made a speech about how her future with Martin and their son Roman had been stolen, Lily saw red.
Disobeying her mum’s orders never to tell Ruby about her and Martin, Lily proceeded to announce to the whole club that they had reunited on his deathbed.
A furious Ruby stormed over to see Stacey, who managed to convince her that Lily had been confused.
While Ruby bought Stacey’s cover story, she washed her hands of the Slaters and told her that they could handle the arrangements for Martin’s funeral.
Confirming who she believed was really responsible for his death, she spat at Stacey: ‘That’s it, I’m done with you lot turning your nose up at me at my memorial. You not even bothering to come. And then she stands there in front of everyone lying?
‘That’s it, Stacey. You can plan this funeral on your own. It’s your fault he’s dead anyway.’
How will Ruby’s words affect an already distraught Stacey, and can the two women find a way forward to unite in their grief?
