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The aftermath of a devastating shooting ordeal appeared to trigger bad memories for Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in EastEnders.
An accidental shot was fired by policeman Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) amid a scuffle over the weapon with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), which led to emotional scenes for the Slaters.
Zoe (Michelle Ryan), who has only just returned to the Square after two decades away, was caught in the crossfire and left fighting for her life.
The events left Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) shaken to her very core, given that she had only just reunited with her beloved Zoe after 20 years.
Fearing the shooter may return, Kat moved Zoe to Walford East before telephoning for an ambulance. Alfie (Shane Richie), however, assisted her in taking Zoe back to the Vic, where they entered the pub via the barrel store.
All hands were on deck in a bid to stave off the bleeding but seeing Zoe out cold on the floor in the back proved triggering for Stacey.
Not just because it was a beloved family member that was fighting for her life but also because the location in question is exactly where Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) was killed several years earlier.
As EastEnders fans will recall, Keanu’s life was claimed by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who grabbed a meat thermometer and stabbed the mechanic as he attempted to strangle her best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
The event was witnessed by Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Sharon and of course Stacey.
The storyline, referred to by fans as The Six, saw the matriarchs in question agree to keep shtum about what had transpired, with each of the women helping in covering up the crime.
While Keanu’s body was recovered, the six Walford legends got away with their crime after Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) took the blame.
A lot has transpired in the years since and, while Keanu’s death is no longer as prevalent in their minds as it was, it’s clear that the Zoe incident brought back bad memories for Stacey.
And not only just in regards to The Six, but also because the Vic is where she lost her beloved Martin Fowler (James Bye) earlier this year – just metres away from where Zoe lay.
Martin, as viewers know, perished in the Queen Victoria fire when a beam from the barrel store fell from the roof amid their escape attempt.
Kathy – Martin’s aunt and one of her fellow five matriarchs – noticed Stacey staring at Zoe and encouraged her to come away.
‘Don’t do this to yourself’, urged Kath. ‘Come on, come and sit down.’
After a few moments, Stacey took her friend’s advice and left. Zoe, meanwhile, was tended to by former flame Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), who desperately tried to stop the bleeding.
When the ambulance arrived, Zoe had a heart-to-heart with Kat, informing her mum that she liked life better when she thought they were sisters as they reminisced about the good times.
Zoe, however, subsequently lost consciousness. Doctors tended to her upon arrival at the hospital as Kat waited nervously outside, desperately hoping that her daughter would pull through.
Is there set to be more heartache for the Slaters?
EastEnders continues Thursday September 4 at 7:30pm or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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