The tables turned on evil Tom King (James Chase) when the truth of his abusive behaviour was revealed and things are set to get worse for him in Emmerdale as brave Belle prepares to stand against him.
Belle (Eden Taylor Draper) took the first brave step by coming clean to Charity (Emma Atkins) about what abuse she’s been suffering at the hands of Tom.
News of his abuse spread through the village and culminated in him losing his job, which only served to anger him further and make him more determined to falsely clear his name.
Tom grabbed a holdall, headed to Dale Head, and attempted to dispose of the camera evidence of his stalking that would corroborate Belle’s version of events should anyone discover them.
But it’s all too little too late, and in his haste to try and discredit Belle once again, he makes a big mistake.
Belle’s landlord Kim (Claire King) calls her and alerts her to the absolute mess that Dale Head is in. Belle tentatively heads back home with Lydia (Karen Blick) in tow and finds the bombsite that Tom has left behind.
As she gets to work, she makes a massive discovery – what looks like a tiny screw, but on closer inspection Belle recognises it as a hidden camera. Suddenly the full reality of Tom’s depravity becomes clear.
Belle is shaken and Lydia urges her to take this evidence to the police. Belle initially refuses, fearful of reliving the horrors in court.
But Belle is reflective and thinks further on Lydia’s suggestion, realising it’s the only way to stop Tom doing this to others, to Amelia (Daisy Campbell). She approaches Lydia to ask for her experience on what it was like reporting Craig.
It’s a big ask of Lydia, who struggles reliving the trauma. But she does it for Belle and hopes it helps her make a decision. The pair bond over their difficult day and Lydia is hopeful Belle has been galvanised to make the report.
The next step in the right direction comes from Amelia, who seems to have woken up to Tom’s evil. She arranges to meet Belle privately and Belle is only too pleased to accept. But is it all part of a trap?
As Belle waits at the Dingles’ for Amelia to show up, she is horrified as Tom casually lets himself in, blocks the door and locks it. Belle is trapped and there’s no way out.
Now that he’s got her alone, what will Tom – who has nothing to lose – do?
