Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) was left grinning like the cat that got the cream in Emmerdale after a calculated move on his part led to him being in possession of a great big wad of cash.
The farmhand, as viewers know, has very much stayed out of the illegal fighting that Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) has got himself involved in, simply watching from the sidelines and urging his pal to think twice.
Ross Barton’s (Michael Parr) comeback has wound him up, however, with the cocky and arrogant returnee trying desperately to come between he and Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).
Charity urged Mack to proceed with caution where Ross is concerned, reiterating that he’s got nothing to worry about as they’re solid as a rock and more ‘unbreakable’ than ever.
Mackenzie saw Charity’s point and refrained from retaliating, though he wasn’t best pleased on Thursday (November 7) to learn that Ross was bringing trouble to Butlers, with his rematch with Billy set to take place at the farm.
Worried that things would spiral out of control, Mack asked Aaron (Danny Miller) to accompany him to the barn for back up reasons as he once again watched from the sidelines as Billy and Ross’ brawl got underway.
Things escalated quite dramatically, however, with the police having seemingly been tipped off, forcing Jade (Twinnie-Lee Moore) and her cronies to hightail it out of there before the authorities arrived.
Mack assisted in getting everyone out of the barn before discreetly picking up Jade’s handbag – the very same handbag that contained all the cash from bets placed on the fight – chucking it over the hay bails and out of sight until the coast was clear.
Aaron, meanwhile, was injured and taken to hospital after John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) came to his aid, saving his life, with Mack grateful that Aaron was okay.
But after telling the police that he had no clue what was unfolding and that he simply works on the farm, a devilish grin enveloped Mack’s face as he took a look at the bag, removing wads of cash.
The question is: just what is Mack’s motive here?
Is he simply trying to get one up on nemesis Ross, knowing that he’ll get blamed on the misplaced funds? Or is it cash that he’s after?
We know Mack loves a dodgy deal as much as the next guy so maybe he’s just keen to line his pockets?
Either way, it’s safe to say that this was a rather unexpected turn – and a dangerous one at that! Ross has certainly underestimated Mack, that’s for sure.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.
