Gabby Thomas attempts to rebuild her relationship with Joe Tate in Emmerdale next week, but her efforts are immediately rejected as the fallout from Dawn Taylor's tragic death continues to tear the family apart.
Joe's grief has manifested in a series of increasingly extreme actions. After learning that Caleb and Ruby Miligan conspired with Dawn's ex, Billy Fletcher, to destroy his wedding and keep him from Dawn and their baby, Joe buried Ruby alive and later drugged and taunted Caleb about her ordeal. Ruby was only saved by the intervention of Graham Foster.
Gabby's role in the crash
Joe also ensured Vinny Dingle received an extended prison sentence for causing the accident, paying off a judge to treat him harshly. Amidst this, he has broken the hearts of step-grandma Kim Tate and surrogate father Graham by insisting his baby son be adopted with no contact from his biological family, forcing Kim and Graham to hide the baby away.
Gabby, who called Vinny and distracted him into veering into the wrong lane, causing the crash, has been living at Home Farm with Kim. However, when Joe learned of her involvement, he gave Kim an ultimatum: either Gabby goes or he would. Kim asked Gabby to leave, and she moved back in with former step mum Laurel Thomas.
A cold rebuff
Later in the week, Gabby approaches Joe, trying to empathise with his consuming grief, but he is still too raw and instantly rebuffs her. The question remains whether Gabby can ever find her way back into the good graces of the Tate family.
Joe continues to suffer as Kim remains steadfast in keeping baby Tate's location secret from him, while her secret daughter Thea Ramsden has her own agenda regarding the youngster.
