With every week that goes by, Emmerdale fans are growing more and more horrified by Belle Dingle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) ordeal at the hands of abusive husband Tom King (James Chase) – and
next week’s spoilers show things spiral spectacularly.
As the couple host a dinner party for friends and family, the tension can be cut with a knife – but guests are more focused on Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) and Marlon Dingle’s (Mark Charnock)
marriage crashing onto the rocks.
Behind the closed door of the kitchen, Tom’s cruel behaviour is heightened even further, as the true reality of what Belle is enduring is confirmed in incredibly dark scenes.
Back in the dining room, the others are oblivious, and things are only set to get worse.
Emmerdale lines up a dramatic week, with a game-changing developments for the Tom storyline
Meanwhile, another resident is in a terrible situation as Nicky Miligan (Lewis Cope) is left for dead in a car crash, caused by a drunk Ethan Anderson (Emile John).
When Ethan then takes a split-second action, he puts both of their futures on the line.
Belle sneaks to a doctor appointment to organise her contraceptive prescription. Anxious as she explains to Manpreet she doesn’t want it sent to her home like her other medication and they find a solution.
Meanwhile, at work Tom is patronised by Vanessa when he messes up diagnosing an elderly dog with cancer without conducting the necessary diagnostic tests. When Vanessa and Paddy arrive in the nick of time she swiftly orchestrates the correct blood tests and it is just an abscess.
As the furious customer heads out, Tom starts playing victim, laying it on thick how Vanessa makes him feel unwelcome at the practice. He suddenly turns the tables by inviting the vet staff and their partners to a dinner party tomorrow night at his and Belle’s house.
om returns home furious after his terrible day and tells about the dinner tomorrow and firmly puts the success of it down to her.
Feuding Marlon and Rhona finally agree to meet for lunch. Things are awkward. Especially when Rhona tells Marlon she’s accepted Tom’s invite to dinner the following night.
He’s frustrated to have not been consulted. He agrees to attend, but they’re further apart than ever.
Ruby reluctantly accepts Moira’s offering of a reconciliatory lunch. But over lunch Moira comes up with a plan
As guests arrive for the dinner party, tensions simmer between Rhona and Marlon. while loved up Mandy and Paddy only heighten the awkwardness. Tom’s toast about marital solidarity exposes the cracks in Rhona and Marlon’s relationship further.
Belle excuses herself, saying the onions made her cry, as her relationship with the controlling Tom is strained. Unbeknownst to her, he had found her hidden contraceptives earlier.
The row between Rhona and Marlon erupts as they lay bare their issues publicly. Rhona tries leaving, but defiant Marlon rejects it, forcing Rhona to seemingly end their marriage in front of everyone.
In another view of the same events, Belle puts the finishing touches to the Dale Head dinner, but critical Tom asks her to change into a more appropriate outfit, and she compliantly heads upstairs.
Struggling with a kitchen drawer, he finds her hidden contraceptives, but before he can confront her, the guests start to arrive. When Belle goes upstairs Tom joins her in the bathroom.
Soon Tom doesn’t let Belle out of his sight in the kitchen. When Rhona finally puts her foot down to leave following the argument, the other guests apologetically follow suit.
Belle’s desperate for people to stay, but they all make their excuses. And as guests depart, the terrifying reality of Belle’s life with the menacing Tom is laid bare.
