Hayley faces her mother, Bev
It’s clear that Hayley is in severe distress – but Bev just scarpers”
Mum-to-be
Hayley Slater comes face to face with her own mother this week – but when Bev tries to reconnect with her daughter, Hayley tells her to do one! The meeting leaves Hayley more doubtful than ever about her abilities as a mum, and she begins to sink into a decline…
The spiky encounter happens as Hayley struggles to come to terms with the full impact of motherhood – especially when she realises just how much Stacey does for her own brood of children.
“Hayley might not have her own parents around her as she prepares to be a mum, but she has at least been accepted by the rest of the Slater clan at No 31,” points out our Walford informant. “However, it’s finally dawning on her what having a baby will mean in practice. Stacey has three children, yet she seems to cope effortlessly – and Hayley is scared stiff of having just the one! Sensing Hayley’s apprehension, Stacey tries to reassure her relative.”
Although Hayley starts to feel more positive, her improved mood is dealt a blow when she spots a familiar figure loitering in the Square – her mum, Bev!
“We might not know much about Hayley’s mum, but it’s clear from Hayley’s expression that she’s far from welcome!” reckons our insider. “And when Bev later turns up at the Slater household, she’s quickly given short shrift by Hayley and Kat. To make matters much worse, Hayley finds out her mother’s presence is down to Jean, which angers her even further! Hayley soon finds her resolve weakening, though, as Jean passes on some flowers that Bev has sent. Is Hayley set to give her mum a fair hearing?”
Agreeing to meet Bev for a drink at E20, Hayley asks her what she really wants – and doesn’t like what she hears!
It’s not long before they’re at loggerheads as Hayley realises her mum hasn’t changed one bit. But there’s worse to come, when the pregnant woman fears she’s losing her baby…
“Bev shows her true colours by ignoring Hayley’s cries for help,” sighs our spy. “Although it’s clear that her daughter is in severe distress, Bev hops into a cab and scarpers! Will that be the last that Hayley sees of her, or will she turn up again like the proverbial bad penny?”
Fortunately, Hayley recovers, but plays down what happened to Jean, who insists that she go to A&E to be fully checked out. However, with Hayley already doubting herself – and her mother’s words making her feel even more inadequate – will the fragile lass end up doing something she’ll regret?