Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) has taken drastic action in Emmerdale, striking Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) with a shovel and leaving him tied up as she attempts to flee the village. The violent confrontation came after Graham discovered Dawn's plan to escape with ex-husband Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle), who she believes was attacked by her fiancé Joe Tate (Ned Porteous).
Dawn's desperate plan to flee with Billy
Dawn's actions stem from her conviction that Joe is responsible for leaving Billy with a brain injury. This belief was planted by Caleb Miligan (Will Ash), who manipulated Billy into thinking Joe was his attacker. In reality, it was Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) who caused the injury. However, Billy did not correct Dawn's misconception. Instead, he proposed they run away to Spain together, a scheme backed by Caleb, who wants to destroy Joe without direct involvement.
Dawn was easily persuaded, having previously prepared to leave Joe after discovering his darker side. Joe had won her back before, but this time she was resolute. Caleb was initially displeased when Billy dropped police charges against Joe for the depot attack, but he became enthusiastic upon learning Billy's new plan to ruin Joe's life instead. Caleb shared this with Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly), who agreed it was a good idea and warned Caleb to ensure Dawn is never found to make the plan successful.
Graham's suspicions and the shovel attack
On the day of the wedding, Graham tried to reassure Joe that everything would go smoothly, but his fake smile suggested otherwise. Dawn was on edge as her plan came together, complicated by Kim's return, which made it harder to drop a bomb in Joe's life. She used memories of her father to keep guilt at bay and get Kim out of the way. Billy also struggled with his conscience, knowing things might be different if Dawn knew Joe didn't hit him.
Neither Dawn nor Billy had considered Lucas, whose clever questioning from a suspicious Graham led to Lucas confessing the escape plan. Graham caught Dawn outside the stables packing suitcases into the car while on the phone to Billy. He was flabbergasted that Dawn would do this, but Dawn asserted that Joe is a wannabe killer and she needs to protect herself. Graham then posed a troubling question: how could Billy be so sure his attacker was Joe when he was hit from behind?
Graham's question changes everything for Dawn
The thought troubled Dawn, as Graham had a point. According to actress Olivia Bromley, speaking to Metro, 'It changes everything for her. She doesn't want to leave him, she deeply loves the man.' However, without enough time to reflect on his words, Dawn's desperation won out. When Graham tried to snatch her keys, she grabbed a shovel and whacked him over the head. She then left Graham trussed up like a Sunday roast and headed for the road.
With promos showing Dawn in funeral garb, it remains unclear whether she and Billy both make it out alive. The upcoming episodes will reveal the consequences of Dawn's violent escape attempt.
