Emmerdale : Season 43

It's the day of the craft fair in the village, so Zak encourages Belle to get involved and enter her picture into the art competition. Chrissie insists that she's not going to let Lachlan out of her sight all day as she brings in his art entry.

Belle seems determined to carry on as normal as her family discuss who might have damaged her painting. She plugs in her headphones and heads out, soon ending up in the woods. Belle then dials the number for her new school and starts shouting abuse, telling the person on the other end that she is never going back to their school.

Zak and Lisa are very worried about Belle and they are horrified to realise that someone has reported her when her youth offenders officer Pamela arrives. Pamela states that she's had a report of Belle going against her licence.

On a mission, Belle watches Edna's house but Harriet spots her and notices her troubled air. Back home, Belle hunts around for a sharp object and when Zak and Lisa return home, she is alarmed that they have arranged for her to speak with a doctor. Belle struggles as she talks to Dr Cavanagh who suggests counselling but Belle remains defiant and refuses to speak to anyone.

Edna is shaken following the burglary, while Alicia and Harriet are suspicious of Belle. Back at Wishing Well Cottage, Zak and Lisa insist Belle still considers counselling, but having burgled Edna, she secretly thinks everything will be alright now. However, she is alarmed when Lachlan sends her an incriminating photo.

Belle feels guilty when she sees how stressed Lisa is about recent events and arranges to meet with Lachlan later. At the cricket pavilion, Belle is prepared to do what is necessary in exchange for the photo and Lachlan is curious to see how far Belle would go.

When Robert learns that Andy has been given Jack's wedding ring, which is going to be melted down into two rings, he storms out in a fury. Aaron tracks down Robert, who climbs into his car and tells him to drive anywhere.

Robert panics when Chrissie suddenly recognises Ross's voice from the robbery and wants to call the police. A desperate Robert tries to calm her, knowing that he has to act fast. When Robert explains that Chrissie knows, Ross vows to drop him in it if she calls the police. Soon Ross and Robert are slugging it out. Meanwhile, an excited Moira arrives home with Adam.

Still bitter that Robert prevented her from reporting Ross to the police, Chrissie has now filled Lawrence in on what has happened. Robert naively hopes he has the situation under control, but things begin to slide when Chrissie returns home from the salon where she was fully filled in on Ross's previous crimes. Chrissie is now certain that Ross was behind their robbery and prepares to call the police.

Robert is uneasy when Lawrence hints that he has his own plans to deal with Ross and soon the Bartons realise something is awry. The local abattoirs are rejecting their business, there is an unannounced inspection at the garage and a tax enquiry occurs. It's clear foul play is at hand. It's Pete who makes the connection that their family is being targeted due to Ross.

Ross returns home to find Lawrence throwing his belongings into a fire, including a picture of Donna. Ross goes to attack Lawrence just as Robert arrives and pulls them apart. When Lawrence finds Ross's phone, it's clear he has hit a nerve. Lawrence smiles - enjoying seeing him sweat. Lawrence passes the phone to Robert, urging him to destroy it, but Robert is conflicted.

At Butler's Farm, the Bartons struggle to undo the damage done by Lawrence. At the same time, Robert is still scheming over how to get Lawrence off Ross's back. Later, Chrissie warns Ross that she will get him one day. Ross seethes and grows tired of Pete as he blames him for their recent trouble.

Jimmy is incredulous as Charity plans to hold their haulage firm Christmas party at Butler's Farm. Moira eventually agrees, though she stipulates some strict ground rules. Unfortunately, Moira quickly regrets her decision when she returns home to an unruly bash. This is the final straw - she wants Charity out.

When Charity spills something over Moira, a fight between the pair breaks out and Moira tells Charity to leave. Cain arrives home from France in the middle of their fight but seems disinterested over the angry scene. Moira is also thrown by Cain's attitude when he admits that his car went missing in Dover. Cain is exhausted at having to deal with Moira and Charity's incessant arguing, but he is adamant that he won't kick Charity out before Christmas.

Kerry finds a sobbing Bernice, who admits that she can't do Katie's hair and make-up for the wedding as she still loves Andy. Bernice's day gets worse when she is forced to cover the bar during Andy's stag do. As the stags gather in fancy dress in The Woolpack, Robert arrives and Andy reluctantly agrees that he can stay - but the brothers don't remain amicable for long and they end up having a fight over Jack and Sarah's graves.

It's Christmas Day and the morning of the wedding. Diane finds Robert at Jack's grave and is left deeply troubled as she worries what he will do next following the recent argument with Andy. Victoria is also stressed, so she leaves Robert a voicemail message warning him to stay away from the ceremony.

Megan has concerns that Jai only wants to marry her for Archie's sake. Later, Jai and Megan are out and are both alarmed when he suddenly sees Josh, the man who sold him Archie. Knowing it is Jai's only possible link to Rachel's whereabouts, Megan wants to do something and takes a photo of Josh's car number plate.

Megan struggles to forget about Rachel. Later, Charity arrives but is stunned when Megan admits to knowing about her kidnapping. Charity sows the seeds of doubt in Megan's mind, explaining how much Jai hurt her and implying he'll do the same to Megan. Meanwhile, Nicola is distracted throughout Bernice's party, aware that something is wrong. Everyone is left worried when Nicola reveals she is bleeding and is rushed to hospital.

Nicola struggles as she hides the truth from Rodney. With Jimmy so excited, she can't bring herself to tell him either. When Nicola finally builds up the courage, Jimmy is left hurt and shocked, but he can see that she blames herself and tries to reassure her. However, Nicola has another bombshell for Jimmy. Meanwhile, it's Belle's first day at the stables and all seems to be going well, until a client leaves when she recognises her.

Belle feels relaxed at the stables, but she panics when she realises that a pill is missing. Samson finds the pill and admits to Lisa and Zak that he has seen Belle with one. Later, Belle panics as Zak throws her remaining pills in the bin, but as everyone celebrates the New Year, a desperate Belle is searching through the rubbish, starting the New Year on a not-so-happy high.