Lucy Beale to hide secret in build-up to death

The build-up to Lucy Beale's death sees her hiding a secret on EastEnders next week.

Lucy, played by Hetti Bywater, isn't her usual self when Albert Square's younger residents gather to celebrate Lauren Branning's birthday.

Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) soon becomes convinced that Lucy is keeping quiet over a secret relationship with Jake Stone, and even searches through her friend's phone for confirmation.

When Lucy catches Lauren snooping, she convinces her that nothing is going on with Jake (Jamie Lomas) - but it's clear that she is hiding something.

Later, after a mysterious phone call, Lucy's behaviour makes it obvious that she would rather be somewhere else than celebrating with Lauren.

When Lucy puts a dampener on Lauren's big night by rowing with Whitney Dean, it gives her the perfect opportunity to leave and head off to meet someone.

At the same time, Jake is busy preparing a meal for two at home. Could this be connected, or is it a red herring?
EastEnders confirmed plans to kill off Lucy last month. The mystery story will begin at Easter and run until the soap's 30th anniversary in February 2015.

A show statement recently teased: "No one knows exactly what happened to Lucy on the night she died, except very few people - even the person responsible for her death.

"Ian will start to question how well he really knew his daughter, as secrets spill out after her death. But one Walford resident has a very dark secret about what really happened the night Lucy died - and viewers will be left guessing for the rest of the year... What killed Lucy Beale?"

EastEnders airs Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.