CHARITY Dingle made a harrowing discovery in her hunt for cousin Belle tonight in Emmerdale.
The Woolpack landlady – who is played by actress Emma Atkins in the ITV soap – has become suspicious over Belle’s husband Tom King’s behaviour in recent months.
But their sudden disappearance this week combined with the news that Tom has been searching for new jobs in Wales, sparked her into action.
Viewers know that Tom has been abusing Belle for months, brutally beating and controlling her every move.
She has tried to escape repeatedly but he has managed to trap her.
And now they have left to go to Wales with Belle thinking it’s a short holiday, while Tom has secretly made plans for her to stay there permanently away from her supportive family.
His behaviour, becoming more unhinged as Belle neared escape, saw Charity recognise her own abuser DI Bails in him.
And in tonight’s episode she took action having discovered that Belle has missed her mental health appointments.
Convincing Cain to listen to her, the pair let themselves into Belle and Tom’s cottage and began searching for clues.
She found a notebook filled with notes on Belle’s spending – and it became clear that Tom was forcing her to account for every penny she spent.
And when they found Belle’s phone, hidden in a drawer so no-one could contact her, they realised something was badly wrong.
Ramping up their search they found the address of the cottage where Belle and Tom were meant to be staying.
Taking off immediately to find them, they arrived later that night.
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
But they found a horrifying sight with the cottage smashed up and blood smeared on the walls.
Has Tom killed Belle? Or has she fought back and killed him?
