Spoiler Alert: This article contains major plot details from the March 18th episode of EastEnders, currently available on BBC iPlayer.

For viewers who have already dived into the latest episode of EastEnders on BBC iPlayer, a significant development hints at how Nicola Mitchell’s dark secret regarding Shireen’s disappearance could be exposed. The episode, which airs on television at a later date, builds suspense around the unravelling of Nicola’s involvement in the crime, particularly as Teddy, Harry’s father, inches closer to the truth.

The reappearance of Shireen’s brother, Asad, in Albert Square has reignited the investigation into Shireen’s vanishing, casting a shadow of suspicion over Teddy. Asad’s accusations that Teddy orchestrated Shireen’s murder have deeply troubled Harry, leading him to question everything he thought he knew. Driven by a desire to clear his name and prove his innocence to his son, Teddy has been actively trying to uncover the truth about what happened to Shireen.

However, the shocking reality, revealed in a previous episode, is that Nicola was the one responsible for Shireen’s disappearance. Her accomplice, Benji, divulged the grim details, confirming that Shireen was buried beneath an industrial estate in Dartford. This revelation has set the stage for a tense game of cat and mouse, with Nicola desperately trying to keep her involvement hidden.

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In the episode available on iPlayer, Teddy takes a significant step that directly threatens Nicola’s carefully constructed lies. He informs Junior of his plans to invest in Junior’s construction project, specifically mentioning that the location in Dartford is a key factor in his decision. Teddy’s true motive, unbeknownst to Junior, is to use this investment as a means to keep a close eye on his old associates and potentially uncover information related to Shireen’s fate. This development understandably sends alarm bells ringing for Nicola, who recognizes the danger of Teddy snooping around the very location where Shireen is buried.

Adding to Nicola’s mounting stress, Ravi confronts her with news of a contaminated batch of pills circulating in the supply chain. The revelation becomes particularly alarming when Ravi informs Nicola that Harry purchased some of these dodgy pills the previous night. Nicola’s immediate fear is palpable as she rushes to find Harry, discovering him seemingly lifeless in the bar. A wave of relief washes over her when she realizes he has merely succumbed to heavy drinking, his despair over Shireen’s disappearance pushing him to excess.

In a moment of apparent comfort, Nicola attempts to console a distraught Harry. However, Harry, increasingly suspicious of his mother’s motives and actions, assumes her concern is just another manipulative tactic. This growing distrust from her own son adds another layer of pressure to Nicola’s already fragile composure.

Later in the episode, Nicola’s carefully maintained facade begins to crack. In a fit of anger and frustration, she makes a heated phone call to her drug supplier, unaware that Teddy is within earshot. Teddy overhears enough of the conversation to realize that Nicola is involved in illicit drug dealings, adding another piece to the puzzle of her secretive behavior. The confrontation that ensues between the former couple is interrupted when they receive news that Harry is causing a scene at The Albert.

Rushing to the pub, Nicola and Teddy find a drunken Harry threatening Felix. Their immediate reaction is to use forceful methods to drag their son home, highlighting the volatile dynamic within their family. With Harry temporarily out of harm’s way, Nicola and Teddy share a drink, the tension of the evening leading to an emotional conversation. In a surprising turn of events, their shared stress and history cause them to grow closer, culminating in them sleeping together.

The morning after their passionate encounter, a semblance of reconciliation appears to form between Nicola and Teddy. Nicola, seemingly motivated by a desire to protect her secret and perhaps a flicker of renewed connection with Teddy, promises to cease her involvement in drug dealing if he abandons his plans to invest in the Dartford construction project.

However, their fragile truce is quickly disrupted when Junior arrives to discuss the investment deal. Teddy informs him that he is no longer able to proceed with the plan. Unbeknownst to Teddy, Junior leaves behind a leaflet detailing his construction project. The camera then focuses on the leaflet, revealing the crucial detail: Junior’s construction project is located on Paradise Park – the very spot where Shireen is buried.

This cliffhanger ending for the iPlayer episode strongly suggests that Teddy’s initial instincts and his subsequent actions, albeit for different reasons, have inadvertently placed him on a direct collision course with the truth about Shireen’s fate. The location of the construction project serves as a ticking time bomb for Nicola, hinting that her deadly secret may soon be unearthed, potentially leading to her downfall. The episode masterfully builds tension, leaving viewers eager to see if the foundations of Paradise Park will ultimately expose Nicola’s guilt.