Storylines
Laura is employed by local businessman Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) as a nanny for his children, Peter (Joseph Shade), Lucy (Casey Anne Rothery) and Steven Beale (Edward Savage). She develops an attraction to Ian, but her attempts to get closer to him are unnoticed. Laura is protective of Ian and eventually Ian starts to see her as loyal and faithful, but starts off using her for sex. Eventually, Laura demands more commitment but he refuses. Laura calls off their arrangement and kisses Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves). Ian is furious when he finds out, leading to Laura's resignation, but before she leaves, Ian is made bankrupt so Laura agrees to stay working for him, free of charge. They then become a couple. Laura attempts to raise funds to buy back Ian's fish and chip shop so they can run it together. She secretly borrows money from his ex-wife, Melanie Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite). Ian proposed marriage to Laura but her wealthy father is opposed to their relationship because of Ian's bankruptcy. They get married but Laura discovers that Ian knows about an inheritance she has received, and wonders if Ian only wants her money, though Ian convinces her this is not true.
Laura is jealous when Ian goes into business with Melanie. She catches them kissing and moves out, but Ian wins her round again. When Melanie is arrested for money laundering and drug dealing (for which she has been set up), she signs over her businesses to Laura for protection. When she wants the businesses back, Laura refuses to sign them over. Melanie is arrested, and when released on bail, informs Ian of Laura's spiteful deed, and tells Laura that she was Ian's first choice. Laura takes delight in belittling Ian, and decides she wants a baby. Ian refuses, and Laura is heartbroken when she discovers Ian has been seeing prostitute Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). Janine goes to Laura's house because she felt guilty. Laura and Janine argue which results in Laura throwing a pan of boiling milk over Janine's face, leaving her in hospital. A long-standing feud between Laura and Janine begins. Laura takes Ian back on the promise that he will provide her with a child, but he has a secret vasectomy. Laura becomes pregnant, so Ian cons her into signing over her share of the businesses and throws her out knowing the child cannot be his. Laura tells Garry he is the father, believing him to be so after remembering spending a drunken night with him. Garry's wife Lynne Hobbs (Elaine Lordan) throws him out and he moves in with Laura in a bedsit. Laura gives birth to Bobby Beale (Kevin Curran), but needs a blood transfusion. It then becomes apparent that Garry cannot be the father, but Laura does not tell him and allows his marriage to break down. Laura uses Garry for sex until he goes back to Lynne. Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) appoints Laura as the manager of the café that Ian used to own, and she names it Laura's. However, Phil's sister Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) sells the café back to Ian and he sacks Laura.
Laura's feud with Janine continues. Janine stops Laura getting a job by badmouthing her, and Laura ruins Janine's business venture. Janine and Laura argue once again and end up fighting and Laura is nearly strangled. Laura soon decides to tell Ian he is Bobby's father, but he shuns her. She writes him a letter but moments later, Ian turns up at her flat feeling guilty. In her haste to answer the door, she runs down the stairs and trips on a toy, breaking her neck as she falls and dying instantly. She is discovered by Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement). Janine is charged with murdering Laura but is found not guilty after Pat decides to give Janine an alibi. Pat discovers Laura's letter to Ian and blood tests confirm Ian is Bobby's father. He feels guilty for his ill treatment of Laura and takes Bobby in.
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