Seven explosive Emmerdale spoilers as Belle Dingle and Al Chapman could embark on shock affair
THERE's more love turmoil coming to the Dales this week as Belle Dingle could embark in an unexpected affair.
The youngster finds help for a new venture in the form of Al Chapman. Get the lowdown on all the upcoming Emmerdale drama.
1. Belle and Al become close
Since her birth on Christmas Day 1998, at Wishing Well Cottage, Belle (played by Eden Taylor-Draper) has only known life within the eponymous village.
Undoubtedly inspired by her former boyfriend Ellis, who left Emmerdale and everything else behind for a new job opportunity in Australia, the youngster is dreaming of a life away from Yorkshire.
Coming up, a hopeful Belle begins her journey in meditation teacher training.
Al (portrayed by Harry Potter actor Michael Wildman) then apologises to her for trying to steal her ideas in earlier scenes.
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The pair eventually agree to a partnership and Belle sets some ground rules with Al - and the businessman is impressed by her savviness.
Could there be more to their partnership?
2. Priya gets jealous
Al has been in a committed relationship with Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) in recent months but could he jeopardise everything for Belle?
There's another resident which could be upset about his partnership with the latter - his former fiancée Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade).
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Once she has agreed to working with Al, Belle gets wind that the wedding planner is upset with her.
This wouldn't be the first time Belle and Priya have their sights on the same man as both have also been involved with Al's son Ellis.
Will there be a new love triangle in Emmerdale?
3. April makes a decision
Teenaged April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) has caught a glimpse of adulthood after finding her father Marlon (Mark Charnock) suffering from a stroke.
April made the crucial decision to call an ambulance, thus contributing to saving his life, but has since been kept away from the hospital.
This week, she remembers to celebrate Rhona Goskirk's (Zoe Henry) birthday and pulls off a surprise party in the Woolpack.
Despite being aware she promised to visit Marlon, as he continues to recover, Rhona attends the party after being encouraged by Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter).
However, after a while, both Rhona and April are eager to see Marlon and the latter begs the village vet to go with her.
Rhona lies but privately fights April's case with Marlon, telling the chef how much his daughter misses him.
Her efforts pay off and April sees Marlon the following day, moving Rhona to tears with how maturely she is coping with his vulnerability.
But will that be enough to convince Marlon to stop isolating himself during his recovery period?
4. Rhona is overwhelmed
April's support is surely welcome as Rhona is exhausted by the pressure of helping her fiancé recover from his stroke.
This leads to her mother Mary (Louise Jameson) scolding her for spreading herself too thin and believing she's delusional for believing Marlon will be able to come home soon.
But a determined Rhona continues to set her sights on getting Marlon home.
Little does Mary know that, in hospital, Marlon is delighted as he utters a complete sentence for the first time since his stroke.
Thankfully for Rhona, Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) is also ready to be present for Marlon and pays him a visit.
Rhona is overjoyed to hear Paddy has his own plan to raise Marlon's spirits.
Will she accept the help?
5. Meena's trial begins
Meanwhile, the end could be near for serial killer Meena Jutla (played by Paige Sandhu).
The villagers are on tenterhooks as her trial for murder begins this week.
She is responsible for the deaths of Leanna Cavanagh, Andrea Tate and Ben Tucker - as well as the murder of her former best friend Nadine Butler.
Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) is determined to destroy her sister in court as she has finally agreed to testify against her after a lot of hesitation.
In prison, however, Meena's manipulative tactics seem to bear fruit as prison officer Ian is conflicted when, against his better instincts, he finds himself flirting with the criminal.
6. Liam lashes out
But Meena will also be using ruse in the courtroom in a bid to walk free from all of her crimes.
She decides to put on a display of faux-meekness, which throws Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) completely off-guard.
While the jury is sympathetic to his devastation after losing his daughter in a horrifying way, he fights tears on the stand - but the defence pushes him to his limit.
The defence begin their onslaught of accusations and Liam is blindsided when he's accused of conducting an affair with Meena - although he is married to Leyla Harding.
Aggravated by her feigned vulnerability, Liam’s rage gets the better of him, he lashes out at Meena.
He soon regrets his outburst as he becomes afraid it may have cost him the jury's support.
7. Meena takes the stand
As villagers are at their wit's end with worry over the trial, Meena is basking in the spotlight.
But her high spirits are dampened when she’s advised against taking the stand.
Determined to get all of the attention, she rejects the advice and prepares her lines in her cell for the following day.
Meena is utterly convincing as she takes the stand in court, playing the part of a victim.
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Her performance is delivered to an enthralled jury - but will it be enough for her to convince them of her innocence?
Later on, everyone awaits the verdict with baited breath and the shocking events of the trial hit the headlines.