EastEnders’ Suki Panesar-Unwin upsets Penny Branning once again next week, as she wildly accuses her of being a manipulative gold-digger. The protective Panesar matriarch comes out fighting when she fears that her son Vinny is being played for a fool, but she’s barking up the wrong tree this time…

“It’s perhaps no surprise that Suki is distrustful – she’s dealt with her fair share of sly villains over the years,” begins our Walford insider. “But in Penny’s case, there’s no ulterior motive to worry about – let’s hope Suki can accept that before she makes a fool of herself.”

The week begins with Suki snubbing an olive branch from Vinny following a string of rows over Penny’s pregnancy. Suki still has reservations about the young couple starting a family together – and is miffed that they’re not listening to her.

Suki’s wife Eve proves to be the voice of reason, encouraging her to make amends with Vinny and Penny before the situation escalates.

“This is exactly the advice that Suki needs to hear,” reckons our source. “She ends up agreeing to have lunch with Vinny and Penny at Jack and Denise’s place. Much to Suki’s surprise, she strikes up a bond with Penny – they’re both fierce, no-nonsense ladies who have plenty in common!”

Sadly, the uneasy truce doesn’t last for long – and Vinny’s generosity is to blame. As Vinny lavishes his new girlfriend with expensive gifts, Penny makes it clear that he doesn’t need to buy her love.

Vinny doesn’t seem to be listening, though. He later drops the bombshell that he’s put down a deposit on a shop in Turpin Road – for Penny to run!

“Forget jewellery or flowers – Vinny’s treating his baby-mama to a business,” says our insider. “Penny doesn’t know how to respond to such an extravagant gesture, but after some kind words of encouragement from Gina and Harry, she decides to go for it.”

Meanwhile, Suki looks forward to her own exciting future when she and Eve have a positive meeting to discuss fostering. But when Suki’s focus shifts back to her son, all hell threatens to break loose.

“Suki finds out about the shop and coldly accuses Penny of using Vinny for money,” explains our source. “She’s way off with her suspicions, as Penny has never asked Vinny for anything. Can they find a way to stop fighting for Vinny’s sake?”