Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) has grown closer to Joel Marshall (Max Murray) in EastEnders – which could spell further trouble for the teen.
The newcomer arrived in Walford last month alongside father Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his partner Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).
It immediately became clear that the trio had fled Australia for more than just Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral – they were actually in $50,000 worth of debt.
In a further twist, it transpired that Joel was the one who had amassed the hefty sum, but we’re still not entirely sure how.
He’s also struck up friendships with his neighbours, stepping in to defend Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) from dodgy drug dealer Declan (Alfie Cain) who was using her house to scout for more business opportunities.
Joel has also had his eye on Avani – and in tonight’s episode they grew closer.
As viewers of the BBC soap will remember, earlier this year, Avani was strip searched at the police station.
The situation, understandably, left her spooked. She declined to place a complaint, and mum Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) raised it instead.
When her concern was dropped, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) told Priya that the only way it could be escalated further would be if Avani spoke up herself.
Sadly, in tonight’s episode, he told her that no further action would be taken.
She desperately asked Amy to keep quiet, but with the girls making amends, it wouldn’t be long before the truth was outed…
Avani had spent the evening in Joel’s company, but the two scarpered when it became apparent that her dad Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) was in protective dad mode.
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As they enjoyed a McKlunkys, Joel told her that arriving in the area wasn’t easy for him – but she had helped a lot.
When Avani returned home, she’d heard from Amy that Priya had decided to keep the outcome a secret from her, and tore strips off her family.
With her family dynamic more fractured than ever before, she’d bound to fall back on Joel again.
In upcoming scenes, he’ll deliver some troubling advice to Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) about women, before making a disparaging comment about Avani to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman).
