We know someone is soon going to be wrongly arrested for the murder of Lucy and everyone assumes it will be Max since there's evidence putting him in the frame - plus he is leaving temporarily. But what if DTC throws a shock at us and it is Cindy who is framed by Ian and Jane? It may sound ludicrous at first but would it really be that out of character for either Ian or Jane considering their behaviour recently? It is also worth mentioning that Mimi is of the age where she may need a break in order to focus on her school work (I'm not sure whether she is still at school) since a lot of soap actors her age have breaks in order to focus on their studies. It'd also be a very dark and twisted development of an already dark and twisted storyline for the Beales. It'd also allow Cindy to eventually be released and show a more relentless and vengeful side just like her mother. Connected in both name and nature etc.

Ooooh I quite like this idea!

I'd love for her to come back and be like "Amanda Clarke" from Revenge.

This is what I want to happen. This could lead to Cindy becoming a major character in EE. The ramifications of this would be so extensive for the Beales.

There would be no going back for Ian and Jane as characters if this happened. Great idea though!

That's true but I think there was no going back for them once it was revealed what Jane did to Lucy and how Ian instantly accepted it. Their characterisation would change but would that be such a bad thing? Phil has gone from being the softer Mitchell brother to getting his partner beaten up at The Albert, making her believe a stranger is her father and even suggesting framing Peter for the murder of his twin sister. That said, it would be very out of character even for Ian. But I wouldn't put it past Jane.

The only reason I don't think this will happen is that she would, obviously, spill all about Bobby and although the police might believe she's deflecting, I don't think the show will have any suspicion by ~outsiders about the hell child for a long time. I think they are setting this Bobby storyline up as one that will run for years, not months and if that's the case, they need to keep him publicly innocent and no suspicion about him for a while yet.

I could be completely wrong, and I kinda hope I am because I think it would be fascinating to see them justify ruining Cindy's life to protect Bobby, but idk if it will happen.

You actually raise a very valid point. I can certainly see this secret continuing up until Laurie Brett decides to leave the show (or another year or two at least). It'll be interesting to see what happens once the truth does come out. Will Cindy, Jane, Bobby and Ian all be arrested and charged? That'd be explosive if it ever did happen - a whole family facing prison. I'd assume Jane would just take the punishment for Cindy and Ian when it comes down to it - after all, she forced them into this mess.

You know, with all of Cindy’s recent screechy histrionics, it wouldn't take a lot to convince the police that she's an unhinged psycho trying to pin their sister's murder on a young boy. And then for Bobby to put on his killing pyjamas to target the person he then believes committed his own crime.

Although I think a more likely scenario would be the social worker (who has already voiced concerns over Cindy possibly harming Beth) alerting the police to said perceived unhingedness and them using this as a basis to build a case against Cindy, leaving Ian and Jane once again to decide if another member of the family needs to be sacrificed to protect Bobby - with their desire to keep Beth now also in the mix.

It's a real possibility IMO. I predicted that it'll either be Max or Cindy. It would certainly write out Jake Wood for his one year break from EE. But given the bombshell at the end of last night, it wouldn't surprise me if they let Cindy take the fall.

id rather Bobby boshed her with the music box

I dont think she will be framed but I do think she will be arrested.

With his "she better not cause any trouble" remark last night it crossed my mind that Bobby could set Cindy up as the murderer with Ian & Jane backing him up. He might only be an 11 year old boy but there's just something about Bobby I don't trust.

They could set her up with the phone and purse that are still under the floorboards.

Would be a big twist.

That would be interesting, but very, very twisted of Jane and Ian. We need to remember that Peter knows the truth too, and I can't see him letting his half sister go down for the crime when he knows that it was really his half brother.

Yes, I think that is more likely.

I can't see either Ian or Jane being bad enough to set out to frame her but how they'd react if she was falsely accused is harder to say. Jane I believe would sacrifice absolutely anyone to save Bobby (and herself so she can look after Bobby) but Ian would be more conflicted I suspect.

I do think that the Social Worker might jump to conclusions about Cindy's Anger Management issues.

Yes. Jane kept those for a reason.

I can't quite get my head around how anyone can be falsely imprisoned for long as neither Lauren or Peter would be happy to see anyone else go down for it, particularly if it's someone like Max, Cindy or Abi.

I really hope not, she doesn't deserve that.

It'd be interesting if Cindy was framed for the murder (or wrongly accused) and when Lauren returns, she reveals the truth.

That's assuming they'd find out. Are they in much contact with their families and depending on who is arrested, would they be told if they did ring?

If Ian and Jane are prepared to let somebody innocent go to Prison, they'd probably be at pains not to tell anybody that could clear them and implicate Bobby. So any info they get would most likely come from Max or Abi. Then they'll be the issue of whether it is too late in Lauren's pregnancy for her to fly although you'd think they could give a statement in NZ. It's still hearsay though, Peter didn't actually see anything, he's just going by Jane's confession and Lauren didn't even get that first hand. Didn't they burn Emma's notes so Lauren can't even produce those to 'prove' that it was somebody at the house.

I think Cindy could make enough 'noise' about it being Bobby and the police would contact Peter. He was against the conspiracy in the first instance and had to be talked into it. It was the main reason he went to Australia.

You make a fair point. Can't really disagree!

Wow, that would be some dark shizzle though!

There is nothing Jane wouldn't do. She's deranged. I would not put this past her.

I think this would be a great route to go down. No one would believe Cindy because of how irratic she has been over the Beth situation.