Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was knocked for six upon her return to the village to learn that Tom King (James Chase) is still swanning about like he’s done nothing wrong.
Tom, as viewers know, is under investigation for abusing Belle over the course of their marriage but, despite the whole village having come to see him for the tormentor that he is, he’s still playing the innocent.
Belle, meanwhile, has been in a mental health unit since the death of dad Zak (Steve Halliwell), with Tom’s torment having had a serious impact on her wellbeing.
Charity (Emma Atkins) was keen to protect Belle upon her return, but Belle was adamant that she wanted to know everything there is to know about the abuser.
News of Tom being taken back on at the surgery – coupled with the fact that he and Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) are still together – left her frustrated as she feared the villain would get away with his crimes.
Belle subsequently decided to have a bath but, while she was upstairs, Tom broke into Jacob’s Fold and, spying her suitcase, he picked up a jumper and held it close to face, inhaling the scent.
He heard Belle upstairs and made a beeline for the shadows, staying out of sight until she headed back to the bathroom.
The tormentor then confronted Belle in the village as she made her way to the Woolpack to join her family – and he proceeded to belittle her. The showdown left Belle with second thoughts and thus she headed back from where she came.
Amelia, meanwhile, was delighted when Tom revealed that he’d got her a new jumper. Little did she know, however, that it was the one he nicked from Belle’s!
Tom spouted lies about how much Amelia means to him and as he gave her not one but two hugs, he held her closely and inhaled from the jumper.
Will he continue to get away with his crimes?
The week in question is a big one for this storyline, with Tom’s downfall set in motion. Belle tells Amelia that the jumper she’s wearing belongs to her, which sparks a chain of events which will lead to quite the showdown, as previewed in a special trailer for Tom’s final chapter.
But will justice finally be served?
