Is Belle dead? Blood on the door, no sign of her or Tom – it’s not looking good

Belle Dingle has gone missing in Emmerdale and Charity and Cain are worried after finding a trashed holiday cottage and blood where she was supposed to be – but is Belle dead?

Viewers know, and Charity suspects, Belle is in an abusive marriage with Tom King. But as the young couple ventured off on their holiday to ‘repair’ their relationship, something terrible seems to have happened.

Tomorrow night we will find out exactly what as flashbacks air to Tom and Belle’s week away. But for now, we’re left worried. Seriously worried. Is Belle dead? Is Tom dead? Are they both dead? What has happened?

Belle and Tom disappear in Emmerdale

Heading off on their break without telling anyone, Belle and Tom have got Charity concerned. Meanwhile, an email to the vets has exposed Tom’s new job prospects and Belle also isn’t answering her phone.

She doesn’t actually have her phone, it turns out, because Tom stashed it in the drawer before they left and she couldn’t find it. Incidentally, it seems to be in the same drawer she hid her birth control pills, so maybe that should be dubbed the ‘official hiding place’ in their house and be the first place anyone looks.

Anyway, someone who did look in there was Charity after she persuaded Cain something wasn’t right. She’s told him Tom reminds her of Bails, and after she discovered Belle has not been attending her mental health appointments, decided to break in to their house.

Cain helped her and they were surprised to see the level of surveillance equipment inside. They also found Belle’s phone and Tom’s budget book showing his records of everything Belle spends.

It was enough to sound alarm bells and the pair hot-footed it to Wales to the cottage Belle and Tom were staying in.

Is Belle dead in Emmerdale?

The sight that greeted them was not a welcome one. The cottage was in darkness. It had been completely smashed up, “What the hell?” questioned Charity as they found the light switch.

Charity then discovered Belle’s discarded jumper and knew they were in the right place. But there was no sign of Belle.

As Cain looked around growing increasingly worried, Charity shouted: “What is that? Is that blood?” as the camera showed red stains on the door.

“Where is she?” Charity asked.

“Whatever he’s done, he’s a dead man,” said Cain. YES! This is what we’ve been waiting for.

But is he already a dead man? Is it Belle’s blood or Tom’s? Has Belle lashed out at last and done her abusive husband in? Or has Tom hurt Belle so badly she won’t survive?

What happens next?

Tomorrow night (Wednesday July 24) flashbacks will show exactly what has happened between Tom and Belle.

When they first arrive at the cottage Belle is hopeful they will get back on track. But it’s not long before Tom starts mocking and manipulating. And when she then overhears him arranging to rent the cottage for longer than agreed, she is confused.

As the rest of the week unfolds, what should be a lovely, romantic getaway, turns into a terrifying ordeal for Belle and Piper. Will she escape Tom’s clutches? Or is this the end of Belle?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.