What happened in Emmerdale Friday, March 14: Tormented Steph left the village and Joe returned
The truth was too much for Steph to handle
The fallout of yesterday’s revelations continued in Emmerdale on Friday, March 14 as Steph Miligan learned the ins-and-outs of Anthony’s murder. Having told her about Anthony’s abuse and his subsequent death, Ruby and Caleb decided to fill her in by inviting half the village over for a chat.
And, as all involved revealed how they’d covered up Anthony’s murder, she spiralled into crisis mode. Worried dad Caleb attempted to smooth things over, but Steph had plans of her own – and left.
Elsewhere, a still hurting Vanessa lashed out at Mary and Rhona. But how much longer can Mary bear the burden of guilt? And, as Dawn and Billy attempted to get their marriage back on track, Joe returned home.
Here’s everything that happened on Emmerdale on Friday.
Steph had visitors
As the episode began, Steph lay in shock from last night’s revelations. Ruby came downstairs to find her on the sofa, staring into space. No words. Well, what can one say, after everything she learned yesterday?
Outside, Caleb called Jay at the depot to let him know that he wouldn’t be working that day. It turned out he’d made plans for the family – and he and Ruby decided to lay it all out to Steph, inviting the Anthony cover-up committee over for a visit.
Just like that, Aaron, Cain, John and Chas all arrived. After getting the low-down, Steph realised that John had been disposing of the body when she’d stumbled across him on the day of Anthony’s murder – and also worked out where he’s now buried. Horrified to have been left out of such a massive secret, she then put into words what no-one wanted to say: “I had a right to know. He’s my father.”
As she stormed out of the room, John was quick to let Caleb know what a massive mistake he’d made by telling Steph the truth. Will Steph’s life-shattering identity crisis bring it tumbling down for all involved?
Steph did some soul-searching – and then ‘left’
Later, Ross found Steph over at the Hide. Sitting down for a chat, he admitted that Caleb had asked him to throw her off the trail. His attempts to cheer her up came to naught, and she made a cryptic comment about not being who he thought she was, before storming off again.
Caleb found Steph down by the river. Sharing a heart-to-heart, he reiterated that he’d do anything to protect her. As they walked back into the village, Steph questioned her whole life – aware of the conflicted feelings her mum must have felt bringing her up. Caleb took the opportunity to remind her what a good father he’d been, assuring her that it had all been real, at least for him.
“You were my daughter,” he told her. “You are still my daughter, now and forever.”
Afterwards, she wandered over to the depot, standing over the spot where Anthony died with a shell-shocked look on her face.
Meanwhile, in the garage, Caleb had a job for Cain. Together, they set about disposing of the gun. Job done (and a truce drawn between the brothers), he headed home, where he reassured Ruby that he’d done a good job of defusing the situation.
Or so they thought – a text from Steph informed Ruby that she was leaving the village. Talking Caleb out of going looking for her, Ruby broke down in tears, terrified that she’d lost her daughter forever.
Vanessa lashed out at Mary and Rhona
In the cafe, Vanessa shared a coffee with Tracy, bemoaning the collapse of her latest relationship. Impressive work, given Suzy’s been dead a month now. ‘Vanity’ shippers take note – her relationship with Charity got a shout-out too.
Just then, Mary entered, hoping to make things right. Vanessa was having none of it though, and she and Tracy stormed out – leaving Mary and Rhona with Nicola, who took the baton to continue giving village outcast Mary the Scarlet Letter treatment.
As she sat with Rhona, Mary continued to feel resentful about how her potential relationship with Suzy had been snuffed out before it had even begun, along with her opportunity to grieve. Feeling rejected and dejected, she mooted the idea of leaving the village.
At the shop, Vanessa continued to vent at Tracy. Walking in to try and defend her mum, Rhona soon found herself on the receiving end of Vanessa’s venom – “she’s your stupid mum, so she’s destroyed us too.” Still, Rhona took it in her stride, and told her she’d be there when she’s ready to talk.
Joe returned
At Home Farm, things were tense between Dawn and Billy. He still felt rejected and distant from his wife, and she apologised – it seemed genuine, but did she have thoughts of Joe in the back of her mind?
The pair reiterated their love for each other, both unaware that the other was hiding a secret – her affair with Joe, and his leering at Manpreet’s naughty pictures. Passion reignited, they found themselves in a passionate embrace – only to be interrupted by Joe, back from his travels.
With Joe’s snide comments killing the mood, Billy sloped off back to work, leaving Dawn more conflicted than ever. Later, he cornered her in the laundry room with a gift of perfume.
She played aloof, but it wasn’t long before he had his hands all over her again. Still, Dawn stood her ground for the moment, brushing him off for the joys of a spin cycle instead. Has she finally seen sense?
Billy shared an awkward exchange with Manpreet
At work, Manpreet received another all-caps text. ‘I’M STILL HERE,’ it read. Just then, Billy entered, collecting a prescription for Evan. As she went to collect, she fired off a reply to her mystery tormentor – as Billy’s own phone pinged with a message (interrupting him from checking out Manpreet’s bottom as she bent over the cabinet).
As Billy went on his way, viewers were left wondering whether he might be Manpreet’s tormentor.
Good news for Tracy
At the shop, Pollard wanted a word with Tracy. He’d been going over the accounts, and had some questions. As she panicked that he was onto her, he swerved in the opposite direction – praising the good work she’d done in keeping the business afloat.
Happy with her performance, Pollard told her he was putting her in charge of the book-keeping from now on – with payment for the additional hours thrown in too. Will temptation strike again now that she’s in charge of the business’s finances?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHtZwSQdDY?si=uZOLDOA8DmOy2bt4]
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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