This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of Emmerdale, which airs on ITV1 at 7.30pm but can be viewed now on ITVX.
Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) has made a brave step towards justice in Emmerdale after an emotional conversation with Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter).
Late last year, viewers of the ITV soap were given a glimpse into Ruby’s childhood and the reasons for her fractured relationship with dad Anthony (Nicholas Day).
Flashback scenes allowed us to discover why she had such a strong reaction to his arrival in the village, when we were taken back to Ruby’s 16th birthday party in 1991.
In shocking scenes, Anthony entered her bedroom and explained they were now alone in the house.
The scenes then developed, revealing that he had been s.e.x.u.a.l.l.y abusing Ruby.
Through his charming demeanour we’ve seen him slot himself into family life, much to his daughter’s horror.
Earlier in the week, Ruby was mortified to see him interrupt her plans for daughter Steph’s (Georgia Jay) birthday celebrations, and was clearly uneasy to see how close she was to her vile grandfather.
In tonight’s episode, it was clear that she didn’t want to spend time in the house and was approached by Chas, who suggested she help out in the search effort for missing April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan).
When she arrived at The Woolpack, it became clear that she’d hit the bottle and was struggling.
Chas tried to sober her up and sat down to ask her why she was so emotional.
Whilst initially reluctant, Ruby told her that over 30 years ago, she was forced to have sex. Chas was taken aback by the admission, and asked why Steph’s birthday had seen a resurfacing of her emotions.
Ruby said that she had doubts about whether husband Caleb Miligan (William Ash) was Steph’s father, but didn’t reveal that Anthony was her abuser.
Chas asked whether she had ever got justice, but it became clear that Ruby was too fearful that the revelation would blow her family apart.
Regardless of whether she wanted to take the matter to court, Chas said she needed to find out whether Ruby was Caleb’s daughter so that she could have at least some peace of mind.
Suddenly, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) burst into the room and interrupted their conversation.
Ruby was spooked and rushed out – but once home, it became clear that Chas had given her food for thought.
She reached out her phone, and ordered a DNA test.
Is Caleb, Steph’s father?
