By Liam de Brun
EastEnders have confirmed that two children are set to ‘vanish’ as a major secret will be exposed in upcoming episodes. The BBC soap is in a period of change, with new Executive Producer Ben Wadey making his presence known within two weeks of replacing Chris Clenshaw. On top of Zoe Slater and Oscar Branning returning to Albert Square, two fan favourite characters said goodbye on Tuesday (July 1). Showing no signs of slowing down, the latest batch of spoilers have revealed that Lauren Branning and Peter Beale are set to be at the centre of things once again. The pair called off their engagement last month, with Peter blaming Lauren’s previous battles with addiction for their newborn Jimmy being severely sight impaired. Vowing to take Jimmy and their other son Louie away from her, Peter has been showing that he’s not afraid to showcase some of his family’s more menacing characteristics. On Monday, July 7, Lauren goes to Peter for reassurance about Jimmy’s diagnosis, with the latter managing to get the baby to sleep thanks to Jay Brown playing the guitar nearby. After giving Peter a guitar lesson, Jay advises him to stop looking back at their rocky past and move on with Lauren and their children. Tuesday, July 8, will see Lauren surprise Peter with a family picnic in the Square gardens, but Cindy Beale spots her hugging Zack Hudosn beforehand. Cindy goes on to tell her ex-husband Ian that Lauren is cheating with Zack. At the picnic, Lauren and Peter explain to Louie that Jimmy is blind, and this moment brings them closer together. However, Cindy shows up with Ian to make her accusation, and Lauren is forced to admit she kissed Zack several weeks ago. The news rocks Peter as he begins his first day on the fruit and veg stall on Wednesday, July 9, as he refuses to speak to Lauren about her kiss with Zack. At the hospital, Lauren and Penny Branning are told that Jimmy’s blindness has been caused by a genetic mutation that is neither inherited, nor caused by opioid use. While this is happening Peter confronts Zack and hits him before he and Lauren return home in the midst of a huge argument. Later, when they go to get Louie and Jimmy, Lauren and Peter discover the boys have vanished, with the following episode seeing them in a desperate search for the kids. Whether Lauren and Peter’s quest to locate their children brings them closer together or drives them further apart remains to be seen.