JAI Sharma and Laurel Thomas are taking their relationship to another level this week.
But much like any happy event in Emmerdale, a major twist threatens their happy moment. Could it be the return of a familiar face?
Laurel and Jai take their relationship to the next level
But something bursts their happy bubble
1. Explosive return
Business at The Hop went downhill for Jai Sharma (played by Chris Bisson) after a horrific bridge collapse in 2021.
At the time, many believed the accident led to the death of Andrea Tate but it was later revealed that Meena Jutla had been responsible for her demise.
Nonetheless, Jai faced repercussions and money started to grow scarce which resulted in him scamming his own other half, Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy).
While this caused a massive rift between the pair, Laurel eventually forgave Jai for his actions and the couple have enjoyed more peaceful times in the eponymous ITV village.
Coming up, Jai makes a mistake whilst booking a holiday on a website… and his mishap gives Laurel an idea.
Before long, she gets down on one knee, asks Jai to marry her and he delightfully accepts.
The lovebirds then happily discuss the correct order to tell people their news.
Jai realises he needs to retrieve his divorce certificate for his upcoming nuptials so heads to his father Rishi’s home to find his legal documents.
Searching the house, where Rishi most recently welcomed Thomas King, Jai dislodges the contents of an old box and discovers an official document among the miscellanea.
A closer look reveals something is not right and Jai is devastated.
The following day, Jai is still deeply upset regarding his discovery and loses his temper at work.
Knowing he struggles with his own addiction like her, Laurel is worried how he may react and implores him to talk to his family.
When rambling Rishi (Bhasker Patel) arrives, he is oblivious to Jai’s rising ire which only causes him to explode with anger.
With so many references to Jai’s past, one could theorise that another familiar face may come back to Emmerdale to cause him more trouble.
Prior to his relationship with Laurel, Jai was married to Charity Dingle and Megan Macey.
With one of his ex-wives already living in the village, could Megan return to Emmerdale with his daughter Eliza in tow?
Could Nicky let his anger get the best of him again?
2. Villain strikes again
Nicky Milligan (portrayed by Lewis Cope) came clean to Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) on their wedding day and exposed his own father’s plans for Home Farm.
Keen on tying the knot with Nicky, unaware of what was truly going on behind her back, Gabby also asked him to adopt her son Thomas and it all became too much for him.
Regular viewers of the Yorkshire-based drama will remember that Nicky was forced by his father Caleb (Will Ash) to seduce Gabby into marriage in an attempt to get her share of the Tate fortune.
Caleb, on the other hand, made sure he was able to steal Kim Tate’s millions by hacking into her bank account.
But with Nicky finally confessing everything to Gabby and Kim enlisting Cain Dingle’s help to expose Caleb, the big plan was foiled and the schemer had to give on getting whatever he believed he was due as Frank Tate’s illegitimate son.
Since then, Gabby has been begging Kim to make Caleb and Nicky pay for ruining her life and breaking her heart.
Kim pleaded with Gabby to remain patient but she may be pushed over the edge in scenes airing next week.
Gabby is frustrated to discover Nicky plans to continue living in the village with Caleb.
Brave-faced, she issues Nicky a warning, but how will he react?
Nicky could be a danger to look out for as he showed Caleb what he was capable of doing by pushing him over a ravine.
Could his anger make him act out again Gabby as she tries to get revenge on him?
Will Liam and Wendy start over?
3. New affair twist
Viewers will remember that Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) has put an end to her affair with Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) and also decided to stop collaborating with him on his next murder mystery story.
However, temptation and jealousy get the best of Wendy this week when Liam takes on Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) as his new story editor.
Wendy is then keen to reprise both their creative endeavour and their affair.
Could Liam send her packing and embark on a new romance with Lydia?
This remains to be seen but Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) becomes suspicious this week when she picks up on the banter between Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) and Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles).
Could it lead to explosive consequences?
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm on ITV.
