EMMERDALE’S Belle Dingle has finally been able to snap free of abusive husband tom King’s control – but he’s got a dark way of covering it all up.
The events planner – who is played by actress Eden Taylor Draper in the ITV soap – fled Tom’s abuse last night with dog Piper.
Tonight it emerged she had found her way back to the village and was clearly in a bad state.
Meanwhile Cain and Charity arrived in Wales to find a blood-soaked cottage and Tom – and demanded to know the truth.
He spun a yarn about Belle being off her meds and made it all her fault – with Charity and Cain believing him after he told them about the abortion.
Back in the village Belle was horrified at his lies – and insisted their marriage was over.
“I was desperate to get away from you because I’m scared of you,” she said finding her strength.
Tom tried to gaslight and lie to Belle, trying to make her think that she was confused and unwell.
But she stood up to him – and faced him down, holding strong as he ripped into her.
Even when he tried to manipulate her into thinking he was the victim of it all, she didn’t give in.
“I don’t believe you,” she said.
And he went further trying to convince her that her family was turning their backs on her – insisting he was being honest.
“So if you were thinking of going back to your dads, you might want to reconsider,” he said.
But he went too far when he told her he would go and pick up Piper and then they could move to Wales away from them all.
“I’m going to make you so happy Belle, we’re going to have the best life together,” he said as he began kissing her despite her pushing him away.
And when he told her they were going to make another baby, she screamed at him to stop and pushed him away.
She told him: “I don’t want to be married to you. I’m going home. You can’t stop me.”
Grabbing her by the throat he warned her: “I will kill you before I let you leave this house.”
But Belle hit back and asked him: “And what do you think Cain’s going to do to you?
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.
“The only reason I’ve not told him is that I don’t want him to go to prison for someone like you.”
That made Tom back off but will Belle be safe for much longer?
