Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) aren’t the closest father and daughter-in-law combination in soap history, but they’re forced together in EastEnders next week after Lauren gets in over her head while trying to help Jimmy.

Returning from their honeymoon this week, Lauren and Peter announced to Ian, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Cindy (Michelle Collins) that, while away, they’d been slammed with calls, texts and information regarding new treatments, designed to aid those with visual impairments.

Viewers will remember that Lauren and Peter’s son, Jimmy, was born visually impaired, and, as Lauren had descending into pain killer addiction while pregnant, she’d initially blamed herself, breaking down in a heart breaking scene in which she begged her baby boy for forgiveness.

Though it was later proven that addiction couldn’t have caused the disability, Lauren still clearly carries the trauma of that time and while Peter sided with his mum, dad and grandma in decrying the treatment as a hoax, she was clearly intrigued by the prospect of exploring it for her son.

Tomorrow sees Lauren investigate further and she books a call with one of the doctors who’s contacted her offering experimental treatment and is buoyed by what she hears.

The only problem? The £3,000 price tag attached.

Armed with proof of the amazing results that the treatment can produce, Lauren turns to Cindy, her mind made up, but with her biggest worry being how she’s going to raise the funds. Grandad Ian has a few quid tucked away, right? Surely he’ll help?

Well, actually, he won’t, and with nowhere left to turn, Lauren makes an utterly shocking decision.

The decision fails to pay dividends, though, when it turns out Ian, Cindy, Kathy and Peter were right. The ‘doctor’ is a dirty scam artist, and Lauren’s heart is utterly broken.

Now with the weight of her decision causing her guilt and anxiety, she’s forced to turned to a very unlikely ally, Ian himself.

Next week sees Peter catch his wife and his girlfriend and having a clandestine discussion.

As Lauren tries desperately to cover up the truth of their conversation in the face of Peter’s suspicion, will Ian help her conceal the truth?

Is there a way out of this for Lauren? Will Ian be her saviour?