The residents of Emmerdale were shocked when they discovered they had a child killer in their midst when Ella Forster (Paula Lane)’s secret life was finally exposed, and in Tuesday (June 4)’s episode the shockwaves were still being felt.
Obviously the person who was most affected was Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson). He’d fallen for Ella and trusted her enough to confide in her about his murdered daughter Leanna (Mimi Slinger), which meant that when he realised Ella had also killed someone he felt doubly betrayed.
Almost the only person who was prepared to extend some sympathy to Ella was Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), who listened to her explanation of what had happened when she was a child.
She’d killed a friend in a fit of rage and grief after the girl said she didn’t want to be friends with her.
Ella had come from a very deprived background and this girl’s mother, June, had been the only adult who’d ever taken an interest in her and made her believe she was worth something. The thought of losing June as well made her see red.
Ella had been punished for her crime and in the years since had moved from place to place, always having to move on when someone inevitably found out about her past.
In this episode Liam was reflecting about his poor choices with women. ‘First I marry a paedophile’ – Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein) who groomed Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) – ‘Then I start dating a murderer,’ he told Bear (Joshua Richards). He said he felt like a fool and couldn’t even rely on his best mate Cain Dingle to be on his side.
Bear was determined to cheer Liam up with a nice walk in the countryside and a visit to the Woolpack, but Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker) needed her colleague back at work and whisked him away.
As they sat mulling over work issues they were approached by Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh), who had some news. She’d registered with Dr Wilson in Skipdale – a town which is ‘a long way to travel if you’re poorly,’ according to Manpreet.
Liam knew what was bothering Tracy. ‘Employing a child killer hasn’t exactly inspired your confidence,’ he suggested.
Tracy admitted it ‘hadn’t helped,’ and even though Ella had gone the fact remained that Manpreet and Liam had employed her. ‘You have to admit, somewhere along the line a ball got dropped.’ She said she had a young daughter and needed to be able to trust her doctor.
Liam was angry that he’d found out his girlfriend was a murderer but Tracy was acting like she was the victim. ‘Patients like her, we can do without,’ he said, getting up and leaving.
As Tracy told Manpreet she’d be sticking with her decision, will Dr Wilson in Skipdale suddenly have an influx of new patients as more people desert Brook Cottage Surgery?
