Tuesday 7th May 2013: Kirsty's baby lie is uncovered
Written by Simon Ashdown | Official rating: 7.21 million
An emotional Max sits by Kirsty's side as she is taken to hospital by ambulance, although his upset quickly turns to frustration when the paramedics are unable to tell him what has happened to Kirsty and their unborn baby. One paramedic urges Max to calm down, reassuring him that they will give him the information regarding Kirsty's condition as soon as they have it. As they arrive at the hospital, a tearful Max is forced to wait outside, cursing himself for letting Kirsty leave the house on her own earlier.
Max sits alone in the waiting room of the hospital, turning his head to the leaflet display at the side of him; paying specific attention to a leaflet that reads ''Alcohol: How much is too much?''. With his thoughts bouncing between Kirsty's collapse and the long term damage that Lauren is potentially causing herself, Max produces his mobile phone and looks at a picture of Abi, Lauren and Oscar taken just before Christmas. As Max smiles at the memory, a nurse appears and addresses him. Max gets to his feet, immediately asking what caused Kirsty's collapse and whether she and the baby are okay. However, nothing could prepare him for the response that the nurse gives: ''Mr Branning. Kirsty is suffering from a severe form of appendicitis and is currently in surgery to have the appendix removed. However, there are no signs that Mrs Branning is expecting a child. Kirsty isn't pregnant...''
Following the nurse's shock revelation, Max is completely dumbfounded by Kirsty's deceit, the situation proving too much for him as he once again collapses into a fit of tears. A female hand holds out a tissue towards him and Max looks up to see Lauren stood in front of him. Max takes the tissue from Lauren as she sits beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Max tells Lauren that the nurse has told him that there is no record or evidence to suggest Kirsty was pregnant and he is struggling to get his head around the fact that all along the 'baby' has been a lie. An increasingly unstable Max tells Lauren that he is unable to comprehend why Kirsty would lie to him, with Lauren left to comfort her father.
Lauren looks to the side and sees the same leaflet that Max was looking at just minutes earlier, withdrawing it from the display. Lauren pushes the leaflet into Max's hand, promising him that no matter what happens with Kirsty from now on - she will get the help she needs in regards to her drinking. Max and Lauren are then interrupted by the same nurse as before, who tells them that Kirsty is now out of surgery and Max can sit with her until she awakes. Max looks at Lauren, before making his way down the corridor - taking one look back at Lauren, who immediately recognises the look of hatred in his eyes.
Max Branning | Jake Wood
Lauren Branning | Jacqueline Jossa
Kirsty Branning | Kierston Wareing
Nurse | Stephanie Merulla
Paramedic #1 | Jack Roth
Paramedic #2 | Phoebe Fox