Amanda 'Manda' Best is the mother of Adam Best. She made her first appearance on 6 March 2009 and last on 12 February 2010. She was portrayed by Josie Lawrence.
Storylines[]
2009-2010: Arrival, romance with Minty Peterson and exit[]
Manda is an art and teacher, who first appears at Walford Community Centre, where she is teaching a pottery class, where she meets her old acquaintance Minty Peterson. Minty reveals that while Manda was dating his friend Phil Mitchell years ago, he secretly used to hate her. However, they settle their differences and soon start dating. The pace of the relationship is slow and Minty wonders if Manda is really interested in him.
In July 2009, Minty sees Manda kissing Phil. He reluctantly confronts her and she explains that she was thanking Phil for allowing Minty a day off work (she was planning a secret trip to the theatre for Minty). Manda also assures him that she will never cheat on him.
Manda's landlord evicts her from her flat and, after Garry Hobbs and Dawn Swann leave Walford, she moves into Minty's flat with her cat. Manda's son Adam comes to stay in September 2009 and he takes an instant dislike to Minty. After Adam returns to Oxford University, Manda tries to explain her son's hostility by saying that he is over-protective. Minty responds by telling Manda that Adam is arrogant and rude and he does not appreciate being treated like that in his own home. The pair make up, however, with Manda promising that Adam will be nicer in future.
Manda discovers that Darren Miller is secretly the father of Heather Trott's baby George Trott, but agrees to keep it to herself. When the secret is revealed, Minty is angry with her for not telling him, as he was once married to Heather. They make up, but then Manda finds out that Minty has been hiding Sam Mitchell from the police. Adam tries to cause trouble, saying that Minty fantasises about Sam, but Manda accepts Minty's explanation that he and Sam are merely friends; Sam is imprisoned shortly after.
When Minty starts disappearing regularly without saying where he is going, Manda suspects that he is having an affair. Adam finds a letter that Sam sent Minty from prison and it transpires that Minty is visiting Sam. When Manda confronts Minty about this, he admits to having feelings for Sam but wants to spend his future with Manda. Believing that Minty does not love her, Manda pretends that she still has feelings for Phil and ends her relationship with Minty, leaving Walford. Several months later, Adam tells Minty that Manda is dating another man.