Upcoming scenes in EastEnders see Vicki Fowler forced to take a hard look at her growing mistrust of men, as Chelsea steps in to challenge her behaviour and a tense moment with Ross leads to an unexpected turning point.

With emotions already running high ahead of Vicki and Ross’s second anniversary, the episode puts their relationship under a microscope and asks whether Vicki is truly ready to let her guard down.

The drama begins with Vicki and Ross separately reflecting on their anniversary. While the milestone should be an opportunity for celebration, recent events have complicated what should be a simple moment for the pair. The shadow of Vicki’s traumatic experience with Joel continues to influence how she interacts with the people around her, especially Ross.

Looking for a distraction, Vicki heads to Harry’s Barn. What she hopes will be a light escape quickly turns sour when she witnesses the behaviour of one of the male punters. Already on edge, Vicki snaps, clearly fed up and unable to tolerate what she sees as yet another example of the kind of behaviour she’s come to expect from men. Her reaction is immediate and sharper than usual, signalling just how raw her emotions remain.

Chelsea, who has grown increasingly concerned about Vicki’s outlook in recent weeks, wastes no time stepping in. She pulls Vicki aside and, without judgment but with unmistakable firmness, tells her she needs to be careful not to let her experience with Joel colour every interaction she has. Chelsea reminds her that while Joel’s actions had a devastating impact, not all men behave like he did.

The conversation is tense but grounded, with Chelsea refusing to let Vicki slip into a pattern of distrust that could end up isolating her even further.

Vicki doesn’t fully take the advice in the moment, but the exchange clearly lands, adding an extra layer to her mood when Ross later turns up at the Barn. Hoping to surprise her and lighten the atmosphere, Ross joins her on the dancefloor. However, his arrival only frustrates Vicki, who interprets his gesture as presumptuous and intrusive. Already on edge, she snaps at him, leaving Ross taken aback and unsure what he’s done wrong.

Despite the rough start, Ross manages to persuade Vicki to stay for a drink. Away from the noise and the dancefloor, the pair decide to talk honestly, something they’ve struggled with recently. Ross apologises for the situation with Joel, admitting he didn’t handle it well and that he’s still trying to understand the best way to support her moving forward. The moment is important; Ross acknowledges his mistakes without becoming defensive, allowing Vicki the space to soften.

Vicki, in turn, begins to let her guard down. She doesn’t dismiss Ross’s apology, nor does she push him away as she has done in recent weeks. Instead, they meet in the middle, recognising that their anniversary may not be the celebration they once imagined, but it still represents something worth salvaging. The conversation marks a shift in tone between them: less anger, more recognition of what they share and how much work they still need to do.

By the end of the episode, Ross and Vicki agree to take things slowly. It’s not a grand reconciliation or a sudden romantic sweep, but a practical, mutual decision. Both acknowledge that Vicki is still rebuilding her trust and that Ross needs to be mindful of her boundaries.