Lauren’s affair is exposed when her secretive behavior is discovered.

Just as sure as water is wet and the sun is hot, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) was always going to give in and cop of with Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) in EastEnders, wasn’t she?

It was heavily suggested, back in the halcyon days of January when Mark was merely ‘man’, that Lauren had been cheating on husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law) in the New Year’s Day flashforward episode – and when we say heavily – we mean super-heavyweight heavily.

Mark has had his sights set on Lauren for a long time, when not grass-hunting Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and getting kidnapped by shadowy gang bosses, seeing her rise as a car-selling Queen pin as a means to funnel dodgy motors through her books and bag some cash, something she initially balked at once she learned of his plan.

Still, the hefty bags of notes that stolen cars seem to command quickly seduced her and, with the desire to support her family weighing heavily on her, she agreed to form a partnership with Mark and the two created a cheeky little criminal enterprise.

The main problem though, besides the threat of major jail time, has been the sexual tension crackling between them non-stop since they entered each others orbit.

Last week saw the blended Beale/Branning clan consumed with worry over patriarch Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) impending day in court for the car accident that saw him hit Jordan Fox (Jahsaiah Williams), while Lauren and Mark continued to circle each other

Ravi’s discovery of the scheme piqued his interest, and he placed a little seedling of doubt into Mark’s head regarding Lauren’s loyalty, while also questioning him on his feelings for her.

Though he denied having feelings for Lauren outside of their business agreement, the seed grew into an enormous shrub in the space of hours, leading Mark to set up a test to see if Lauren would be there for him should he need her.

Lauren raced to find Mark, though upon learning he was merely testing her, she reacted with sheer fury. Branding him a ‘git’ – an insult we fully support in bringing back – she sped away, leaving Mark feeling…well, like a total git.

Next week, Walford’s most careless gangster doesn’t put the dodgy plates on his stolen cars, and heading off to sell one, he attracts the attention of the police. As Lauren heads to to help, the passion between them begins to sizzle, causing her to flee, but she’s conflicted later when he invites her to the boxing gym to ‘talk’.

Is that what we’re calling it now, Mark?

Later in the week, Lauren lavishes Peter with affection, which catches the attention Ian.

When the family head to Harry’s Barn for drinks, to celebrate what could be Ian’s last night in Walford, a clash with Jordan’s mum Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) ensues, and when Ian retreats, followed by Lauren, he asks her what she’s been hiding recently.

Has Ian finally clocked Lauren’s tea?