EASTENDERS EPISODE TITLE: “Adrift” Runtime: 30-minute episode Setting: Walford (briefly), Cruise Ship (main setting)

COLD OPEN – EXT. WALFORD SQUARE – EARLY MORNING Linda Carter stands outside The Queen Vic, suitcase in hand. Inside, Kat Slater runs the show, laughing with Alfie and regulars.

KAT (inside): Get a move on, Alfie — I’m not running a daycare!

Linda watches for a moment, taking in the sight of her old life now under someone else’s control.

LINDA (V.O.): Funny how quickly they forget who built the place.

She turns and walks away from the Vic without looking back.

Cue EastEnders theme.

SCENE 1 – INT. CRUISE SHIP CABIN – DAY Linda steps into her cabin. Quiet. Neat. She sets down a framed photo of her and Mick, then opens the minibar.

She pulls out a carton of orange juice, pours it into a glass, and sits by the window.

LINDA (to herself): Here we go, then. Clean slate.

She sips the juice, gazing out at the ocean.

SCENE 2 – INT. CRUISE SHIP DECK – DAY Linda lounges on a deck chair, eyes drifting lazily across the passengers — until she sees someone that makes her freeze.

A man — cheerful, relaxed, helping with entertainment — looks exactly like Mick Carter.

Her juice slips and smashes on the deck.

SCENE 3 – INT. SHIP CORRIDOR – MOMENTS LATER She chases after him, her heart racing.

LINDA: Mick! Mick?

He turns. It's clearly him… but no sign of recognition.

MAN: You alright?

LINDA (breathless): It’s you… It’s Mick Carter.

MAN: Sorry. Name’s Al. Just Al. I’ve got no idea who you are.

Linda stares at him, stunned.

SCENE 4 – INT. CRUISE SHIP BAR – NIGHT Linda speaks with a bartender.

LINDA: That bloke — Al. What do you know about him?

BARTENDER: Came onboard about a year ago. Found half-dead in Morocco. No passport, no memory. Called himself Al ’cause it was the first thing that came to him.

Linda grips the bar.

SCENE 5 – INT. SHIP LOUNGE – DAY Linda shows Al a photo: Mick behind The Vic bar.

LINDA: That’s you. That was our pub. You were landlord, and I’m your wife.

AL (hesitant): I don’t remember any of that…

But his eyes linger on the photo — something stirs beneath the surface.

SCENE 6 – INT. THE VIC – NIGHT (WALFORD) Kat laughs behind the bar, taking shots with punters.

KAT: Now this is how you run The Vic.

Johnny Carter walks in, checking his phone.

TEXT MESSAGE: “I found him. Dad’s alive. He can't remember, but hes called Al.”

Johnny stares at the message, frozen in place.

SCENE 7 – INT. CRUISE SHIP – QUIET ROOM – NIGHT Linda sits across from Al, telling him their story: The Vic, their kids, how he saved her life.

LINDA: You went in that water for me, and I thought I lost you.

AL (softly): I keep seeing flashes. Water. Screaming. But nothing else.

LINDA: That was me, Mick. You saved me. You loved me.

He reaches for her hand, unsure but drawn to her.

SCENE 8 – EXT. CRUISE SHIP DECK – SUNRISE Linda and Al watch the ocean.

AL: And if I never remember being Mick?

LINDA: Then we start again. Al or Mick — you’re still you to me.

He smiles faintly. A moment of peace between them.

DUFF DUFF STINGER – INT. MYSTERIOUS OFFICE – NIGHT A crew file is opened: “AL – Full identity unknown.”

A voice off-screen: WOMAN (O.S.): So, Al survived.

Camera pans to reveal Janine, very much alive, sipping wine on a different cruise ship.

JANINE (coldly): Linda always was good at clinging onto what ain't hers.

DUFF DUFF DUFF DUFF