Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale has shared the first official details of Bernice Blackstock's exit storyline.
The B&B owner will be bowing out from the village next week following Samantha Giles' decision to quit the role.
In upcoming scenes, Jimmy and Nicola King are shocked to be landed with a fraudulent £20,000 debt.
It soon becomes clear that Nicola's sister Bernice is responsible and she does a disappearing act to avoid facing the music.
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More of Bernice's misdeeds are exposed when her business partner Bob Hope discovers that she has neglected to pay some suppliers.
Gabby Thomas is also affected by the drama, fearing that her wayward mum has abandoned her again.
The situation becomes tense at the King household as Jimmy questions why Nicola is so reluctant to report Bernice for her fraudulent activity.
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Meanwhile, Cathy Hope's behaviour starts to attract suspicion as Nicola realises that she may be hiding something.
Bernice hides out in Brook Cottage, fearing that she'll be sent to prison if Nicola reports her.
Cathy is secretly in cahoots with Bernice as she helpfully updates her on how everyone is reacting to her crime.
Nicola is relieved when she manages to find Bernice and she blocks her sister's attempts to flee from the village.
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Bernice hopes for a sympathetic reaction as she explains the reasons behind her fraud.
Nicola takes a hardline stance – she warns Bernice to strike a deal with her to make amends, or face the police and deal with their punishment instead. What will Bernice decide?
Check out more of our Emmerdale coverage:
- Emmerdale's Eric Pollard rejects Brenda Walker after his diagnosis
- Emmerdale's Aaron Dingle to be caught out for bullying Vinny
- Emmerdale star Lisa Riley responds to emotional Mandy and Eric scenes
- Emmerdale to explore Parkinson's disease in emotional Eric Pollard storyline
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
