Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) is one of the very few Emmerdale residents who have seen Dr Caitlin Todd’s (Caroline Harker) dark side.
Over the past few months, the surgeon has been targeting Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant). For reasons yet to be revealed, Dr Todd seems to take great pleasure in bullying Jacob and completely destroying his confidence.
Caitlin now lives in the village with Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), and is taking advantage of the fact she knows Vanessa fancies her. Dr Todd is well aware that she can pull the wool over Vanessa’s eyes when it comes to Jacob through charm and confidence – and it’s so far working an absolute treat.
A few days ago, Vanessa found Jacob shouting at Doctor Todd in the ladies toilets in the pub. She later told Jacob that if Leyla was still alive, she’d be utterly ashamed at how badly he’s treating his female boss.
Growing worried about the dynamic between Vanessa and Dr Todd is Charity.
After her baby was born, Charity was horrified when Todd approached and confirmed that she knows Jacob and Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) aren’t the little girl’s parents.
It’s a powerful piece of information to hold in her hands, and Doctor Todd is having a great time using it as leverage.
Next week, following Doctor Todd’s demand of money in exchange for her silence, Charity realises she’s been declined a loan extension. She is left further annoyed when Todd texts and reminds her of the debts.
Meanwhile, Vanessa voices how she had expected Caitlin to sneak into her room last night. She says that she wanted to, but doesn’t want to rush into things.
At the pub, Charity feels hopeful when it becomes apparent Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) might buy the pub but Caleb Miligan (William Ash) says no, thinking it would create backlash from the village.
After giving Charity a deadline of one week to get the money, Doctor Todd takes pleasure in winding her up later in the pub toilets.
‘She has such a presence. You almost feel the room go cold and she seems to just appear over somebody’s shoulder,’ actress Emma Atkins said of Dr Todd lurking where she’s not wanted.
Elsewhere, Vanessa expresses her thoughts on her romance with Todd, and thinks things are going really well. She’s curious when Charity approaches and warns her ex off Todd. Vanessa promises that she’ll be careful – but has she fallen under Doctor Todd’s spell?
While it doesn’t look as though Doctor Todd wants anything in particular from Vanessa, it’s clear that she cares more about her feuds with Charity and Jacob than a potential relationship with her.
‘She doesn’t know how to do love and things,’ actress Caroline Harker said of Caitlin. ‘But actually, I think [her feelings are] genuine, but the desire to do dodgy things is stronger. Poor old Vanessa!’
Is Vanessa going to come out of this situation with a broken heart?
