Ahead of a week of episodes that will change lives of the villagers forever, wedding fever hits Emmerdale.
Although that may sound hyperbolic after more than five decades in the Dales, the events of Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) and Joe Tate’s (Ned Porteous) nuptials really will have a widespread impact for the foreseeable future.
She’s planning to flee for a new life in Spain with ex-hubby Billy (Jay Kontzle), but Graham Foster’s (Andrew Scarborough) intervention at the Home Farm Stables will prove unfruitful. This horse has already bolted!
Caleb Miligan (William Ash) reveals to Joe that he’s helped them escape, while Jimmy King (Nick Miles) seems deeply troubled over a situation.
Keeping a watchful eye over the eventual crime scene is newcomer DS Ramsden (Chelsea Edge). But what is her gameplan?
Here's everything happening in the episodes of Emmerdale airing between Monday 24 and Friday 28 August.
4 Emmerdale spoilers for next week
1. Dawn Fletcher attacks Graham Foster as her wedding with Joe Tate spirals into chaos
Wedding bells are ringing, but trouble is already brewing as Graham does his best to disguise his unease, reassuring Joe that nothing is going to spoil his big day.
Meanwhile, Dawn is increasingly anxious now that Kim Tate (Claire King) is back in the village, fearing her plans to disappear will be impossible to carry out. Billy manages to steady her nerves, earning her gratitude for proving himself someone she can trust - all while keeping his own guilt firmly under wraps.
Kim’s unexpected kindness only leaves Dawn feeling more conflicted. Nevertheless, she steels herself and decides to use the memory of her father Will to manipulate Kim and clear the way for her escape.
However, the plan begins to unravel when Graham’s probing questions lead young Lucas Taylor (Noah Ryan Aspinall) to inadvertently reveal the truth about his mum and Billy's intentions.
Realising what is happening, Graham races to the stables and catches Dawn red-handed, making a suspicious call to Billy while loading her suitcases into the car. He is horrified to realise that she intends to abandon Joe on his wedding day and leave him devastated.
Dawn’s decision is largely driven by her belief that Joe attempted to murder Billy, but Graham spots a hole in her story. He questions how Billy could possibly have witnessed Joe attacking him from behind, and she is left visibly rattled.
When Graham fails to persuade her to stay, he resorts to taking her car keys. Desperate to get away, Dawn grabs a nearby shovel and strikes Graham over the head, knocking him unconscious.
By the time Graham regains consciousness, however, his situation has gone from bad to worse. He finds himself securely tied up, leaving him with no hope of stopping Dawn’s plan.
2. Caleb Miligan reveals his revenge to Joe Tate
Caleb is quietly delighted at the prospect of Joe being jilted, with everything appearing to be falling neatly into place. He secretly slips Billy a sizeable wad of cash, giving him the means to start his new life. Billy makes no attempt to hide his bitterness at being used as a pawn in Caleb’s long-running scheme.
At The Woolpack, Joe raises a glass to "happy endings", prompting Caleb to simmer with barely concealed resentment. Wife Ruby (Beth Cordingly) warns him to stay patient and wait until after the wedding before making his move.
But when Caleb’s attitude leads Joe to withdraw his invitation to the wedding, his patience finally snaps. He decides there is no reason to hold back and confronts him, declaring that he has finally settled the score.
Caleb savours the moment as he drops the bombshell that Dawn has left with Billy. In one devastating blow, Joe learns that his fledgling family - and his unborn child - have been taken away from him, seemingly for good.
3. Jimmy King is deeply troubled
Jimmy is left reeling after discovering that Caleb and Ruby were never genuine business partners and had actually been competing against him.
Caleb attempts to smooth things over by offering Jimmy an additional payment on top of the money already agreed for his share of the Home James haulage business, hoping the extra cash will persuade him to keep quiet.
Ruby appears largely unfazed by the confrontation, but Caleb is visibly uncomfortable with the situation.
Later, Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) finds Jimmy in a particularly low mood and tries his best to lift his spirits. However, it soon becomes apparent there is more weighing on his mate's shoulders than the fallout from the business deal.
4. DS Ramsden watches over the crime scene amid her plot against Kim Tate
The wedding turns into a nightmare.
A stunned crowd looks on as news of the incident spreads, with shock and horror rippling through the villagers.
DS Ramsden oversees the crime scene with a watchful eye, but there appears to be more driving her investigation than simply getting to the truth. A lingering resentment seems to be fuelling her determination.
Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) also watches from afar, visibly emotional and burdened by guilt, while Ramsden continues to scrutinise the scene.
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Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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