Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was left in tears at the end of Thursday’s (May 16) Emmerdale after being violently attacked by Tom King (James Chase).
In recent days, topic of conversation has been Belle and Tom trying for a baby. We know Belle doesn’t feel ready to become a mother, but has been slowly coerced by her husband into thinking it’s a good idea.
In tonight’s (May 16) episode of the ITV soap, Mandy (Lisa Riley) and Lydia (Karen Blick) popped by to see Belle to try and clear the air.
When they sat down, things were awkward to start with, but the trio eventually got talking, and even shared a joke about Tom smelling due to him working at the vets.
However, the group had absolutely no idea Tom was listening in on the conversation via the puppy cam.
Racing home with fury running through his veins, Tom’s focus was confronting Belle, which meant getting Mandy and Lydia to leave.
Home alone with her husband, Belle was soon faced with a barrage of verbal abuse. Tom called her a pushover, but definitely wasn’t expecting Belle to start defending herself.
Belle reminded Tom of the time he burnt her hand under hot water and said he has other behavioural traits that aren’t normal. As the penny dropped that Tom was watching her via the puppy camera, Belle tried to tell her husband that he needs help, but he reacted by punching her in the stomach.
As Belle sat on the floor, Tom tried to blame the ordeal on her. He said that he felt ‘triggered’ and would never, ever hurt her.
Belle ran off to the bathroom and locked herself in. With Tom banging on the door, his anger grew and even threatened break his way in – and poor Belle was utterly terrified.
A little while later, still nursing her bruised stomach, Belle told Tom to leave. He – once again – twisted this and said Belle was looking ‘for space’ and that he would ‘respect’ that.
As the evening drew in, Lydia and Sam (James Hooton) arrived outside of Belle’s house with some dinner for her.
Knocking on the door, Lydia and Sam were a little puzzled when Belle failed to answer.
Inside, sat with Piper the dog, Belle hid behind the door crying her eyes out.
But what’s next for this beloved character?
