Zoe’s Vanishing Act Shatters the Slaters

When family secrets bubble to the surface in EastEnders, they do so with volcanic force—and this week, the eruption belongs to Zoe. What began as a plea for help spiraled into lies, panic, and a desperate escape that has left her loved ones reeling. After claiming she was being hunted by loan sharks, Zoe is exposed when Alfie and Stacey uncover the heartbreaking truth—there were no threatening messages. She sent them to herself. All for money. All for survival.

But this deception masks something far darker.

Zoe’s erratic behaviour sparks questions no one can answer. She lashes out at Stacey, avoids Cat like the plague, and then disappears without warning—booking a last-minute flight to Barcelona on Stacey’s credit card. For a moment, everyone assumes she’s fleeing embarrassment. But as Alfie sifts through the details, a chilling realization sets in. If the loan sharks were a lie, what is Zoe really running from?

In a gut-wrenching scene, Zoe nearly opens the door to Cat—her estranged mother—only to crumble in the hallway. Her fear is visceral. Her words cryptic. She’s done something unforgivable, something she can’t say aloud. It’s not just shame that drives her away—it’s fear. “You’d hate me if you knew,” she whispers before vanishing into the streets of London.

Now it’s Alfie who shoulders the responsibility. Guilt-ridden and fiercely loyal, he tells Stacey he’ll bring Zoe home. Even if it means lying to Cat. Even if it means crossing continents. With only a flight number and a string of purchases on Stacey’s card to track her, Alfie boards a plane to Barcelona—no backup, no clear plan, just hope.

Back in Walford, Cat senses something is wrong. Alfie’s sudden “business” in Australia doesn’t ring true, and her instincts are razor-sharp. She may not know the truth yet, but she’s not far from it.

Meanwhile, Zoe’s trail grows colder with every hour. Is she hiding from someone dangerous? Did she cross a line she can’t undo? And if Alfie finds her, will she even come back?

This isn’t just about lies. It’s about identity, forgiveness, and what we’ll do to protect the ones we love—even when they hurt us most.

Stay tuned. The past is catching up to Zoe, and Alfie’s race to save her could cost him everything.