The following article contains discussion of themes including coercive control and domestic abuse.
Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale’s Tom King is set to cruelly sabotage his wife Belle when she receives a new job offer.
The couple got married last month but, behind closed doors, Tom has been displaying a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour towards Belle, from insults to physical violence.
Before their wedding, Tom managed to convince Belle to change her mind about taking his last name, but now he's determined to assert another level of control.
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Last month, Suzy Merton offered Belle some work, which she was very excited about, but as a result, Tom gave her the silent treatment and wasn’t happy about her news.
In scenes that will air next week, Tom is stressed and irritable, and he continues to berate Belle for her plan to postpone having children.
Suzy finds Belle working the reception at the vets and mentions the job offer for her at Take A Vow, which Belle was unaware of.
Belle is furious that Tom has interfered, but she covers for her husband and pretends he did in fact pass on the message.
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Later, Belle accuses Tom of lying to Suzy but he manages to appease her, once again gaslighting her as to what actually happened.
Belle accepts the exciting job offer, but when Suzy describes her first client as her "perfect match", Tom is angered.
Tom's already annoyed that Belle is working at Take A Vow, what lengths will he go to in order to regain his control after she starts speaking to customers?
The next day, at Marlon’s birthday party, Tom’s abuse is set to escalate even further.
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These scenes will mark the next stage of Tom and Belle’s dark, long-running storyline, with the soap highlighting numerous ways abusive partners harm their victims, including coercive control, violence and emotional abuse.
The storyline will also explore technology-facilitated abuse, and, in the coming weeks, Tom will be seen using technology to constantly monitor Belle’s whereabouts.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
