Emmerdale drops major clue character’s arrival is imminent as heartbreaking secret teased

Emmerdale teased the imminent arrival of a new character on Friday, with a sad twist teased about Caleb and Ruby Miligan’s daughter Stephanie.

The character was first mentioned this week by Caleb and his mother-in-law Helen Fox, with it teased Stephanie was estranged from the family. Nothing had been mentioned until this point with most fans not aware Caleb had another child.

It was after Helen’s death that her daughter Ruby got thinking about her own children, touching on the fact that their son Nicky didn’t want to know. But as she spoke of Stephanie being “God knows where” and them not being in contact, Caleb appeared to avoid the conversation.

It’s been hinted that they haven’t seen Stephanie for a while, and are not on talking terms. Friday’s episode delved more into this, with major hints that Stephanie could be about to rock up in the village after a telling comment by Ruby.

Ruby also appeared to hint at a sad secret, and a devastating twist involving her daughter that was yet to come out. It would explain the estrangement and Stephanie’s decision to stay clear.

On Thursday, Ruby made a sad confession about her daughter’s whereabouts, hinting at a sad twist. She questioned her ability as a mother, and whether she’d have been better at it had her own mother been in her life. Caleb comforted her, saying she was a great mum.

She then commented on her child being “God knows where”, confirming they were not in contact. But as Caleb referred to Nicky in his response, Ruby made it clear she was talking about their daughter Stephanie, with Caleb pulling a face.

On Friday we saw Ruby bring up the conversation again, asking her husband if they could speak about their AWOL daughter. Caleb claimed it “never ends well” and always ended in tears.

Ruby claimed “she was his favourite” and that she knew he was upset about how things were between them. Caleb mentioned the fact they’d tried “loads of times” to reconcile with their daughter but that she didn’t want to know.

Ruby interjected though, suggesting they “never should have stopped” trying with her. Caleb insisted their daughter would get in touch with them if she wanted, but Ruby claimed: “No she won’t because she’s as pig-headed and stubborn as you are.”

She went on: “I could have died in that fire and Steph would never have known how I feel about her or how sorry I am, and how much I love her. Knowing now what that is like I don’t think I could do that to her. In fact I know I can’t.”

Later, Ruby admitted she had not called her daughter as Caleb was “right”, claiming she wanted nothing to do with them. It’s then that she said: “If she wants anything to do with us she knows where we are.” This confirms that despite having no contact, Stephanie knows the couple are in the village, no doubt being the biggest hint yet that she will make her own debut very soon – that and the repeated mentions of her.

Ruby added: “She doesn’t need me putting my grief on her, we’ve screwed her up enough already.” So what did Ruby and Caleb do, and what led to Stephanie fleeing the family? Is a heartbreaking twist on the cards?