As far as Steven Beale knows girlfriend Lauren Branning is just really excited about the prospect of a new photography job. But viewers know she’s actually equally as excited about Josh the photocopier guy, who she’s slyly been meeting up with on the side.
Clueless Steven has an idea of how they can make their relationship better – try for another baby. But what will Lauren say?
Things have hardly been good between the couple for a while now. He’s been neglecting her and throwing every ounce of energy he has into being the perfect son and supporting Ian and Jane through every tiny little trial and tribulation.
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For Lauren’s part, she’s fed up of staying at home with a pipe and slippers and wants to enjoy her youth.
After one half-baked attempt at seducing Steven with edible underwear, she’s seemingly given up and decided nights out with Whitney are a much better way of spending her time.
And it helps that Josh seems very interested in her and keeps inviting her out.
So far, nothing’s happened between them, but with Lauren going for a job at his company, chances are they’ll be in each other’s orbit far more if she gets it – will she be able to resist then?
As she waits to find out if she’s got the job interview, she’s tense, and Steven isn’t exactly supportive about her chances.
He even suggests that she forgets the new role and they concentrate on extending their brood by trying for a baby. Steven’s currently playing dad to Lauren’s son with his brother Peter, and is keen for a kid of his own.
Ambitious Lauren can’t believe he’s not supporting her dream and makes her feelings perfectly clear on adding to their young family: it’s a no.
Steven starts to worry they’re drifting apart, especially when she gets an interview for the job and she’s cold with him.
Realising he needs to do something to keep her on side, he offers to take her shopping for a new outfit and then take her out for dinner. But is it too little too late?
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As the day of the interview arrives, she dresses to impress, but Steven shows little interest in her. With the job coming between them before she’s even got it, it looks like they’re never going to get things back on track.
Is this the beginning of the end for Lauren and Steven?