Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) is spiralling in EastEnders.

The beloved character was injured in the crush at Peggy’s a few months ago but in the aftermath, she developed a concerning dependency on painkillers.

Things took a turn for Lauren when she found Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) arguing with George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) brother Kojo (Dayo Koleosho). Lauren threatened to find out what was going on, which left Cindy paranoid.

Realising that she needed to get one up on her, Cindy approached a drug dealer and began supplying Lauren with it.

In yesterday’s episode of the BBC One soap, Lauren was at the car lot office working late. She then went to take one of the pills, but Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) arrived.

This prompted Lauren to hide the packet of tablets within a folder. Trying but failing to create a distraction, Lauren had no choice but to leave Jay in the office, with the drugs on the side.

Lauren then went for dinner with Peter Beale (Thomas Law). While in Walford East, Lauren was agitated and very distracted, her mind clearly elsewhere.

After spending time with Peter, Lauren returned to the office and found Jay playing a game on his phone. She lied about why she had popped back, and then noticed the folder on her desk was missing.

Jay explained a customer had collected the folder, leaving Lauren horrified her drugs had disappeared.

Does this mean her addiction will be uncovered sooner than we think?

If the customer returns and informs Jay, how will Lauren react when he confronts her?