The Slaters receive a black cab
HAYLEY SPOTS AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN THE SLATER DAD’S OLD CAB IS RETURNED TO THE FAMILY…
The Slater clan have a pleasant surprise this week, when Charlie’s old black cab trundles back into their lives. Could the motor be the answer to all their money troubles?
The gift horse turns up in the form of a mysterious package at No 31. Hayley rips apart the envelope and finds a key, leaving everyone baffled – yet it soon becomes clear that it’s for the taxi that Charlie Slater used to drive. Since Charlie’s death in 2016, the cab has been looked after by one of his pals, but it’s finally been returned to his family.
Hayley soon spots the vehicle’s potential value, and thinks that if she can get it up and running again, it could fetch a fair bit of cash! Aside from Jean, the Slaters are doubtful – though when Hayley finds out from Keanu that the cab could be worth £10,000, she heads to the Arches to see if she can find the tools needed to get it working.
“Hayley certainly has a bit of nous about her,” reckons our
Eastenders sneak. “She tries to distract Keanu by flirting with him, so she can pinch his tools as soon as his back is turned. Unfortunately, Phil turns up at the wrong moment – and insults her in the process! Hayley is humiliated, but she still manages to make off with her ill-gotten gains when Phil and Keanu aren’t looking. She’s on a mission to prove all the sceptics wrong, and nothing will stop her!”
Later, Keanu visits Hayley to apologise for Phil’s boorish behaviour, and for not jumping to her defence when he had the chance. Although Hayley is quick to send him packing, she feels a twinge of guilt about stealing from the garage, especially as she realises Keanu is a genuinely nice guy.
“Maybe if she hadn’t been so fixated on being a tea leaf, something good could have developed between these two,” sighs our mole. “But after Phil tells Keanu that the dough for the tools is coming out of his wages unless he replaces them, Hayley feels even more ashamed. It shows that she’s a typical Slater – she acts first and thinks later!”
Hayley puts her conscience to one side, though, when she manages to get the cab operating again. Pleased with her handiwork, she sneakily advertises it online. But her family are shocked as they
“Hayley is on a mission – nothing will stop her!”
spot the ad and realise what game Hayley is playing.
“Big Mo must be kicking herself that she didn’t have the idea first!” chuckles our spy. “Hayley thinks she can pay back the money that’s owed to Jean, and pocket the rest of the cash for herself. Clever girl!”
However, when Jean finds an old photo of the family with Charlie’s cab, she points out that the vehicle has great sentimental value, and perhaps should be kept. The Slaters are torn. What’s more important – memories or money?