The West Enders: Episode Thirteen, The Breakup

Merida has finished her session with Midge and heads over to the George to meet her sister Luna, who has finished the band rehearsal for today. Over glasses of wine, the sisters talk about some of Midge’s suggestions for Merida.

“She asked me about us growing up together, singing together, and if I felt like I might also want to have a musical career. She said she heard that we sang together on New Year’s Eve, and how good we were. But we also talked about sibling rivalry and whether I might want to do something on my own or with someone else,” Merida tells Luna.

“Merida, that’s a great idea,” Luna responds. “You’ve been searching for something ever since you left the modelling agency. And as it happens, I’ve heard about an opportunity that might let you stick your toe in the water, without just diving in head over heels.”

“You mean the way I usually do,” laughs Merida.

“Absolutely!” Luna replies. “Barbie’s little sister Amy has come back to town and she’s auditioning for back up singers. I know it’s not instant stardom, but it’s a start.”

“That’s a great idea,” says Merida. “I’ll get in touch with her right away.”

“You’ll need a black dress,” warns Luna. “The group is called ‘The Ladies in Black.'”

Neither of the sisters notices that Sutton is gazing wistfully at Merida. He’s feeling a lot of conflicting emotions. Since the Valentine’s Day Ball, he’s texted Monique countless times and she’s always “busy” or just doesn’t respond at all. He is pretty sure that romance is going nowhere. But he’s terrified to speak to Merida after the nasty scene they had.

Steven hasn’t had any luck getting Sandra to answer his texts either, but he is unconcerned as he flirts with Blessing. Someone has found romance since Valentine’s Day, however! Marcelo has turned up at the George with Audrey Ruston, the actress and singer, and they are looking very cosy together. And they don’t notice that someone is also gazing wistfully at them – Yvette, of course. She listens to their conversation, becoming more and more cast down.

“I have to compliment you again on that beautiful colour you’re wearing,” says Marcelo, laughing.

“You know I said I would change when you picked me up and I saw we were both wearing the same colour shirt,” Audrey responds, teasing and playful. “You told me not to.”

“You look absolutely stunning, darling,” says Marcelo, “I can’t imagine you looking more beautiful, unless of course, you were wearing nothing at all.”

“Marcelo, you devil,” Audrey laughs. “Not too fast.”

Yvette is gutted. “I never had a chance,” she thinks to herself. “Audrey the actress, Charlotte the supermodel. Why would he ever look at Yvette the local barmaid?” She sighs.

Sam sees Merida in the pub and realises that Midge must be free. He hurries to the house and finds her getting ready to head out.

“Hello, angel,” he says. “I’m so glad I caught you. I wanted to talk to you about the wedding – and I have something important to tell you.”

“Wedding first!” says Midge.

” Could we set it for July, as soon as Sasha finishes school? At the beginning of the school holidays?”

“Wow, that’s not a lot of time to plan, but of course, sweetheart. I can’t wait to be married.”

“Neither can I,” Sam continues. “And I have something really important to tell you, especially because Passover is coming.”

“What is it?” Midge asks, curiosity piqued.

“I am in the process of converting to Judaism. I’ve been meeting with Rabbi Sheridan from the Reform Synagogue to start the process.”

“Sam!” Midge exclaims in shock, “Good heavens, I would never have asked this of you. You know I’m not very religious. You’ve probably seen more of Rabbi Sheridan than I have!”

“Midge, I want to have children, your children, our children. They’ll be Jewish from birth with you as their mother. I want to be part of that in their lives, in your life, in our lives as a family. It’s really important to me.”

Midge finds tears are streaming down her face. “Oh, Sam – I love you so much!” is all she can say. “Let’s tell Sasha! I think she’s outside playing.”

Nick returns from the pub and sits down at the computer. He goes onto Facebook and sees that Bonnie has posted an article from the Guardian, with the scary headline of “Sexual harassment at ‘epidemic level’ in UK universities.” He reads the article and becomes more and more agitated, especially when he sees, “‘There must be a ban on any sexual contact between university staff and all undergraduates, and between staff and graduates in the same field. The penalty for violating the no-contact rule should be swift termination with a public statement and a mandated report to a central UK registry.’” Nick feels ill.

At that moment, Yuki walks in and comes up behind Nick for a cuddle. She’s getting the feeling that he’s been avoiding her lately and decides it’s time to do something about it.

Nick quickly pushes her away and says, “Yuki, look, I need to talk to you.”

“What’s wrong?” asks Yuki in alarm.

“Yuki, I… I… You know I’ve applied for a lectureship at the university.”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s just not going to be possible for me to continue our relationship. I can’t have a sexual relationship with an undergraduate as a lecturer. It’s just not possible.”

Yuki is gobsmacked. “Getting a lectureship is more important to you than our relationship?”

“Yuki, of course it is! It’s my life! It’s my career! We’re just… Our relationship is just… I don’t know, just temporary. I mean, it was never meant to be forever. Was it? We’re too different from each other.”

Yuki collapses in shock. “Oh, my god! I can’t believe I trusted you! I believed in you! I thought you loved me!”

Nick has no idea what to say.

Yuki rushes out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen.

“Nick just broke up with me,” she wails. “I can’t believe it!”

Jazmin rushes to console her. “Never mind that party pooping wet blanket, Yuki,” she says. “He’s a drip. You deserve so much better. All he cares about is his stupid endangered species or invasive species, or whatever it is he does. And you’re even wearing a panda shirt! He’s an arsehole! Corbin and I have so many friends who love to party and have fun. That’s what you need, Yuki – fun!!!”

Oh, dear, poor Yuki! Stay tuned for the next episode, when Midge and Sam celebrate their first seder together. We’ll catch up with Yuki again soon.

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