SPOILER ALERT – Emmerdale’s Rakesh is kidnapped…but out of all his enemies, whodunnit?

Also this week: Laurel kisses Marlon, Aaron's prison threat and Charity and Frank get it on again

PAUL SIMPER

Published: 0:03, 25 Feb 2017
Updated: 13:06, 24 Feb 2017

Emmerdale: Rakesh wakes up the next day, bound and gagged, and is stunned when he realises who’s taken him hostage

It’s not often that somebody manages to upset pretty much everyone in the village.

But Rakesh is giving it his best shot as he manages to make Rishi, Jai, David, Jimmy, Nicola and a fair few others see red as he goes public with the news that, despite all he’s done to ruin her and her family’s lives, he and Priya are back together.

“Jai and Rishi are not happy at all,” explains Pasha Bocarie, who plays the thick-skinned arsonist.

Nicola isn’t best pleased either.

She may have turned the fact that she nearly perished in the Mill Cottage fire to her advantage by taking over the sweet factory, but the thought that Rakesh might now go back to playing happy families is enough to get her blood boiling all over again.

“Rakesh is worried that Nicola will now go to the police when she finds out that him and Priya are back together,” reveals Pasha.

Emmerdale: It’s not often that somebody manages to upset pretty much everyone in the village but Rakesh has given it his best shotCredit: ITV

Almost as furious is David. When Jimmy tips him off that it was Rakesh who started the inferno – and that he and Priya are thinking of moving abroad – David realises he needs to do something drastic.

After all, he doesn’t want to be forced into a long-distance relationship with Amba, his daughter with Priya.

All of which means there are plenty of folk already in the queue when Rakesh gets knocked out.

He wakes up the next day, bound and gagged, and is stunned when he realises who’s taken him hostage. So who clouted Rakesh?

“It could be anybody,” says Pasha, cryptically. “And things turn nasty when you least expect it…”

Laurel kisses Marlon

Emmerdale: Laurel confides in Marlon when he pops in to see how she’s doing, but as he offers her some much-needed comfort, she forgets herself and kisses him – just as Sandy walks inCredit: ITV

Life could hardly be much tougher for Laurel right now. Not only has she had to say goodbye to Ashley physically, but now she fears she’s also losing her dementia-suffering husband mentally and emotionally.

A trip to see Ashley at the care home confirms her worries as he fails to recognise Laurel and is far more interested in Maggie, one of his fellow residents.

Later, Laurel confides in Marlon when he pops in to see how she’s doing, but as he offers her some much-needed comfort, she forgets herself and kisses him – just as Sandy walks in.

Her father-in-law is furious, but how will Carly react when Marlon tells her what happened?

Aaron's prison threat

Emmerdale: A 12-month prison sentence was always going to be tough for Aaron – and already he’s starting to feel the pressureCredit: ITV

Even after his past experiences behind bars, a 12-month prison sentence was always going to be tough for Aaron – and already he’s starting to feel the pressure.

First, there’s an anxious visit from Robert, where the newlyweds do their best to keep a lid on the fact they’re married.

Then, a protective Chas makes things worse by giving some lip to Jason, one of the other inmates.

Most worrying of all, though, is the prison’s top dog discovering that Aaron is the son of child-abuser Gordon Livesey. Is there anyone Aaron can turn to for help?