EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell has landed herself in a financial mess only weeks after welcoming baby Ivy.

The latest episode of the BBC soap (May 6) kicked off with Nicola (portrayed by Laura Doddington) getting a call from her accountant, who broke the news that Harry’s Barn is in debt. This left her gobsmacked as she believed there were thousands in the business account.

She pointed the finger at Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) for potentially falling back into drug use, but Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) disclosed that the funds had been funnelled into George’s (Colin Salmon) new restaurant, Knight Fusion, which is haemorrhaging money.

Nicola scolded Harry for his foolishness and not seeking her counsel, stating, “If I don’t cough up, then both businesses go under.”

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In one scene, Nicola scrutinised her accounts and conversed over the phone with an enigmatic woman named Kirsty. She declared: “I’ve got stakes in both businesses. I need money in that account now”, reports OK!.

She continued: “Kirsty, this is my family’s future we’re talking about here”, before their chat was cut short by George.

Later on, Nicola was presented with a six-figure offer by terminally ill Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) in return for him moving into their family home to spend his last days while battling cancer.

Eddie had been locked up for murdering George’s biological father, but would be released on compassionate grounds if he had a place to stay. Will Nicola betray her partner, George?

Meanwhile, EastEnders viewers are now speculating that Nicola’s mysterious caller was Kirsty Branning, who could potentially be her sister.

Who is Kirsty Branning on EastEnders?

It’s been 13 years since Kirsty arrived in Walford and destroyed Christmas Day for the Branning family.

From 2012 to 2014, actress Kierston Wareing portrayed Kirsty Branning in EastEnders and was unveiled as Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) secret spouse on Christmas Day 2012.

In typical soap style, Kirsty caused mayhem in Walford as Max’s secrets and deception triggered turmoil with Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), who attempted to force Kirsty out of Walford permanently.

Yet Kirsty remained in the Square long enough to stage a false pregnancy, launch an affair with Carl White (Daniel Coonan), and even attempt to reclaim Max’s love.

Naturally, Kirsty failed to reignite any romantic spark, and in January 2014, she departed the Square in Max’s vehicle, discarding her wedding ring and completing the divorce paperwork.

Might Kirsty be making a comeback to Walford? EastEnders enthusiasts are theorising that Kirsty is Nicola Mitchell’s sibling.

Posting on X, one viewer enthusiastically declared, “Nicola talking to a Kirsty? Could it be.. HER #eastenders.”

Another added: “I really hope Nicola’s sister and possibly her mum turns up as Nicola needs family members from her own clan, not her married family #eastenders.”

A third forecasted: “Oh my days, is Kirsty Branning Nicola’s sister? #EastEnders”, while another proclaimed: “Kirsty?! #EastEnders.”

“Nicolas’ sister would be interesting as we have heard about her a few times. It would be good to get a proper female main antagonist. I felt Nicola was originally going that way but has gone a different route. Maybe her sister could fit that bill,” another Reddit user chimed in.