EastEnders' Cindy Beale and Max Branning have made a bold decision to reveal their secret relationship to their families after a near-miss. The pair, who are hardly paragons of virtue, have been carrying on a clandestine affair since Christmas Day, when they unknowingly hooked up at the Albert bar.
A History of Deception
Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) have both lied, cheated, schemed, and manipulated their way through Walford. They are held at arm's length by their respective families, who are well aware of their past transgressions. Last year, Max briefly returned to cause trouble at his daughter Lauren's wedding to Cindy's son Peter, but Cindy was determined to confront him over his role in the death of her eldest son Steven. However, Max scarpered before she could confront him.
When Max returned a second time, Cindy was deliberately uninvited from the Beale/Branning Christmas dinner to avoid a showdown. While Max was invited, he was soon booted out after a family blow-up. He confronted Lauren, son Oscar, and brother Jack over keeping the secret that Linda Carter's daughter Annie was actually his. When he learned that Jack had also had an affair with Stacey Slater, fists flew.
The Secret Affair
Alone, Max headed to Cindy's bar, the Albert, where they drowned their sorrows together, neither knowing the other's true identity. Idle chat gave way to passion, and they spent Christmas Day together in the office. When Cindy realized who her festive fumble was with, barbed comments and slaps were thrown at the grandson's christening, though they later reunited to deal with a shared enemy: Jasmine Fisher.
With Cindy named as one of four women Max could marry in the New Year's Day flashforward episode, their relationship has continued to develop. This week's terrifying car crash broke new ground when they agreed to go on a proper date. Next week, Cindy has zero intention of following through until jealousy spurs her into action. When she spies Max and Linda sharing a close moment, Cindy decides to attend the date after all.
The Decision to Tell Their Families
The date proves a success, raising the question of when to tell their loved ones. The Beales and Brannings are intrinsically linked through Peter and Lauren's marriage and their children, and neither Max nor Cindy are popular with either faction. After narrowly avoiding being caught in the throes of passion by Lauren, they decide to tell their families about their relationship, but only when the time is right.
But when will that time be? If Cindy is the flashforward bride, it'll have to come soon. If she's not, maybe it'll never come at all.
