Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) was reunited with her long-lost mum Emma (Patsy Kensit) after years of believing her mum had simply abandoned her.
However, the reality was far more shocking as Emma described the abuse she suffered at the hands of Lola's father and the mum's subsequent horror at not being able to find her daughter after being hospitalised.
The terminally ill hairdresser has enjoyed getting to know her mum in recent episodes but warned Emma she would have to take a break from bonding with her as she felt she was spreading herself too thin.
Emma didn't seem to take the news well but agreed to give her daughter some space after dropping off a gift for Lexi.
EastEnders fans were shocked when Emma whispered to Lexi that there was a secret hidden in the locket she gave her and asked the youngster to keep this fact from her mum.
On her own, Lexi found a piece of paper with her grandmother's phone number written on it hidden inside the locket but does Emma have an ulterior motive to getting to know her newly discovered granddaughter?
EastEnders viewers suspect Emma's behaviour towards Lexi suggests the newcomer isn't Lola's mum after all.
One suspicious fan tweeted: "I don't think she's Lola's mum. She's definitely hiding something," while a second claimed: "She's not Lola's mother."
Someone else questioned: "Are we even sure if she is definitely Lola's mum?"
BBC soap viewers worry Emma's seemingly harmless obsession with wanting to spend time with Lola and Lexi will lead to tragedy.
Another concerned fan wrote: "Yeah Emma is definitely gonna kidnap Lexi after Lola’s death.."
"The way Emma whispered in Lexi's ear just then was very suspicious. I think Emma will kidnap Lexi at some point," agreed a second while a third suggested: "I think #Emma sees #Lexi as a second chance at being a Mum… I think what she really wants out of her relationship with #Lola is #Lexi! #EastEnders."
Meanwhile, Emma star Patsy has shared a sweet tribute to her co-stars after confirming she had finished filming in Walford.
On Instagram, she posted a series of pictures of herself boarding an aeroplane with the caption: "We’re leaving on a jet plane! Don’t know when I’ll be back again…. Going to the heat. Great news this Friday that my severe chest infection I’ve nursed since December has now been diagnosed and I’m on the right antibiotics and need to convalesce for a bit and will be right back on my feet!!!
"CAnnot thank my amazing cast members at the simply awesome experience I’ve had working on @bbceastenders for being so kind and loving to me. Big thank you to the BBC the producers writers crew and the EE family . Costume makeup AD’s Ang at the help desk.. the fabulous @jamie_b10 and the phenomenal @danielle_harold for making me laugh my a**e off everyday. I love you both… @theemmabarton so so many people…. A new adventure begins."
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