In Emmerdale, Caleb Miligan's return to crime takes a dark turn when Bear Wolf discovers a shoe with a 'help me' label sewn into it, confirming that the counterfeit goods are linked to modern slavery. Bear, a former modern slave himself, loses his temper and demands Caleb go to the police.
Caleb's counterfeit scheme unravels
Caleb, played by William Ash, had been dabbling in counterfeit goods after a teenager with a laptop showed him how to profit from fake merchandise. Inspired by Kerry Wyatt's fake-not-fake purse, he believed it was a victimless crime. However, his naivety is exposed when a shoe bearing a plea for help is found among the goods.
Kerry, portrayed by Laura Norton, was horrified by the discovery and urged Caleb to report it to the police. But Caleb, focused on his profits and self-preservation, refused. Bear Wolf, played by Joshua Richards, witnessed their interactions and found the shoe, triggering a fierce reaction.
Bear's traumatic past resurfaces
Bear was previously held captive and forced into labour on Celia's farm, a traumatic experience that saw him fighting for freedom after being arrested for murdering his captor. The discovery of the shoe reminds him of his friend Anya, who died at the hands of modern slavery captors. Bear confronts Caleb, telling him that they cannot endorse such a scheme.
Kerry is shocked but not surprised to learn Caleb has not gone to the police. Billy Fletcher, played by Jay Kontzle, also urges Caleb to do the right thing. However, Caleb stalls, and instead pivots to a new idea: selling counterfeit car parts, as suggested by Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah).
What's next for Caleb?
As Caleb considers his next move, the question remains whether Bear will keep quiet about the shoe. The discovery threatens to unravel Caleb's entire operation and could have serious consequences for his relationships in the village.
