The following article contains spoilers from an episode of Emmerdale that hasn’t aired on ITV yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.
Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was smiling as she departed the prison visiting room after standing up to Tom King (James Chase) in Emmerdale.
Tom, as viewers know, is currently serving a three-year sentence after being found guilty of domestic abuse and coercive control towards wife Belle.
With the one year anniversary since their wedding approaching, Belle decided recently that it was time to get the ball rolling on the divorce so that she could move forward in life.
The events planner, however, knew full well that Tom would make things difficult for her and so she spoke with her solicitor, who encouraged her to visit him in prison to speed things along.
Tom, meanwhile, tried to manipulate the situation to his advantage, telling the prison chaplain – with a bible in hand – that he reckons he can make things right with Belle if she pays him a visit behind bars, hoping the chaplain would put in a good word for him.
Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) expressed her worries about Belle visiting Tom as tonight’s episode opened. She touched on April Windsor’s (Amelia Flanagan) recent ordeal and giving birth to a stillborn baby, and how that discovery made her reflect on the loss of her own child.
Lydia pointed out to Belle that a traumatic event in someone’s life can often resurface very easily.
She felt worried that Belle would have her anxiety triggered by seeing Tom, and believed it would be best if she avoided him altogether.
Belle didn’t agree.
In the prison visiting room, it wasn’t long until Belle realised time behind bars had not changed Tom in the slightest. He was still trying to spin narratives, and thought that the Dingles had orchestrated Belle starting divorce proceedings.
The beloved character stood up to Tom and said she’s worked hard to heal from the abuse, and sees their divorce as ‘the cherry on top’.
Belle said her goodbye to a clearly rattled Tom. She took one final look at him and left, allowing herself a satisfied smile as she departed.
At the Dingle home, Lydia apologised to Belle over trying to stop her visiting Tom. She felt proud that Belle had gone herself and confronted Tom, and wondered what she’d be focusing on next.
Belle simply said she would do whatever she wanted because at long last, she can…completely free from Tom King’s clutches.
