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The court’s abuzz after Max’s escape. Lauren hisses at Jane to tell the truth or she will. Jane approaches DI Keeble and DCI Marsden but they’re busy organising a manhunt; Jane declares Max’s innocence but Sharon interrupts, to Lauren’s frustration. At the Beales’, Phil’s annoyed Jane told Lauren he bought the jury. Sharon points out at least Max is free. Lauren knows Max panicked and has no grand plan. Stressed, Jane promises to come clean if Max is caught but Lauren resolves to tell the truth; Phil threatens Lauren and Peter will go to prison if the truth comes out - she’s condemning Louie to a life in care. Lauren gets upset and Jane orders Phil and Sharon to leave. Meanwhile,

Stacey’s riled when Dot publically slates Max in the Vic. Lauren thanks Jane for sticking up for her and doesn’t understand why Abi trusts Phil - she still has her family. Jane advises her to focus on Louie. Lauren can’t believe how much she loves him; Jane says although she’ll never have that instant bond, she feels that way about Bobby - she’d do anything to protect him and hopes Lauren understands now. Lauren heads to find Abi but warns Jane she hasn’t made her mind up yet.

At Phil’s house, Lauren demands to talk to Abi alone. Phil pointedly offers to look after Louie which Lauren ignores. Meanwhile, Stacey visits Jane and demands the truth. At Phil’s house, Abi thinks Lauren should forget about Max and return to New Zealand. Phil gets a text from the foreman and heads off to get his money back. At the Beales’, Stacey quizzes a flustered Jane about a tattoo Max has and deduces Jane’s lying about them sleeping together - Max has no tattoos. Martin arrives and berates Stacey for pestering Jane after everything she’s been through. Jane coldly declares Max is guilty, to Stacey’s surprise. Jane leaves Ian a voicemail – when the police find Max, they should get on with their lives. Phil meets the jury foreman in a café, who explains it wasn’t easy but he got the guilty verdict. Phil grins and hands over an envelope of cash. At the Beales’, Jane gets a shock to find a grim-faced Max waiting in the kitchen.

Max bursts into the court car park with DS Bryant and security guards in hot pursuit. They search the car park, unaware of Max hiding in a car being driven away by a terrified woman. News of Max’s escape spreads as police search the Square. Max alights from the car and nicks the woman’s phone to call Carol. Listening in at the Butchers’, Keeble orders Carol to keep Max calm; she blurts the police are all over the Square. Keeble grabs the phone and orders Max to give himself up but he hangs up. Later, he enters the allotments, swipes a hoody from a nearby bench and ducks into a shed, only to come face to face with a drunken Cora. Max swears he’s innocent. Cora scoffs lying comes easily to Max and doesn’t understand why he cares what she thinks. Heartfelt, Max insists he does care and Cora’s better than what she’s become. Touched, Cora nods. Max vows to found out the truth. Cora spies the police from the shed window and creates a diversion while Max runs for it…

Linda’s returned after Nancy had a seizure on holiday – and they couldn’t bear another week of Elaine snogging Jason the barman. Mick’s uneasy that she’s returned today. Linda brightly claims she wanted to come back and asks after Lee. Mick pulls Lee aside to explain Linda’s not strong enough to know the truth. Lee’s been to the job centre and feels fine anyway. Mick watches, concerned, as Linda throws herself into drumming up business while the market traders gossip in the Vic about Max’s escape. Tamwar asks about Nancy’s seizure; she feels guilty for ruining Linda’s holiday. Lee assures Nancy his pills are working. Outside the Vic, Dean and Linda lock eyes, witnessed by Mick. Linda declares she wanted to face today at home and vows Dean can’t hurt them anymore. Mick has something to tell Linda about Lee…

Carol plans ways to help Max. Sonia insists she slow down and sends Stacey packing when she calls round to discuss Max. Sonia advises Carol face facts and Robbie chimes in that Tina’s right - she should focus on herself. Carol seethes that Tina thinks she should get a life.