Emmerdale spoilers follow for Monday's (April 27) episode, now available on ITVX and airing on ITV1 at 7:30pm. Dr Todd (Caroline Harker) may live to regret crossing Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), who has a long history of taking no prisoners when it comes to her enemies.
Dr Todd's Bullying of Jacob Sugden
Hotten General doctor Todd has made Jacob Sugden's (Joe-Warren Plant) life a living hell since he started working full-time at the hospital last year. From making him second-guess his every move to putting him under serious stress, Todd has chipped away at Jacob's confidence, leaving him a shell of his former self. The bullying was so overwhelming that Jacob filed a complaint with HR, much to Todd's dismay.
In a bid to get him to drop the complaint, Todd claimed countless patients could die if she lost her job, but Jacob remained adamant. Ruthless Todd then spied an opportunity after stumbling upon the shocking truth of baby Leyla's true parentage.
Baby Leyla's Secret Parentage
The tot, born to Charity last week, was thought to be Jacob and Sarah's (Katie Hill) biological child. However, it turns out Charity slept with Ross Barton (Michael Parr) around the time of the embryo transfer, meaning the child is actually Charity and Ross's. Todd confronted Charity, whose life she had saved hours earlier, and suggested she get Jacob to back down, implying she would spill the truth if she didn't get what she wanted.
The scales fell from Charity's eyes, as just moments earlier she had asked Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) to pick up a thank-you card for the doctor. To keep the secret, Charity urged Jacob to withdraw his complaint, claiming it was in his and Sarah's best interests. Jacob agreed, and Todd promised a fresh start, though it was clear his nightmare was just beginning.
Charity's Guilt and Todd's True Intentions
In Monday's episode, Todd told Charity they were 'good' now, meaning the truth about baby Leyla won't go further. However, Charity was still racked with guilt for talking Jacob out of his complaint. She asked Todd to go easier on him. Todd claimed she would be 'mindful' of how hard she pushes him, but her expression darkened when Chas (Lucy Pargeter) referred to Todd as a 'hero' and a 'good soul,' implying Charity hasn't forgotten what the doctor has done.
To make matters worse, Todd has no intention of fulfilling her promise. Upcoming scenes will see her use Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) to further her vendetta against Jacob. With Jacob struggling and Todd on a mission to destroy him, will Charity feel obligated to act and take the dastardly doc down a peg or two? Will she prove instrumental in Todd's downfall?
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 or streams from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
