Dawn Taylor's plan to escape Joe Tate in Emmerdale is thrown into jeopardy next week as Kim Tate returns to the village. Dawn had decided to leave Joe after Billy Fletcher revealed that her soon-to-be husband had put him in hospital. Together, Dawn and Billy plotted to leave England for Spain, hoping to make their escape while Joe was away on his stag do.
However, their plan hit a snag when they discovered Joe hadn't gone to Prague as expected. Graham Foster led them to a field where Joe revealed a surprise joint stag and hen do, complete with clay pigeon shooting and a gathering at The Hide for food and drink.
Billy's Dilemma
At the event, Kev Barton, who had wandered up for free food and drink, drunkenly confessed to Billy that he was the one who attacked him – not Joe. This left Billy at a crossroads. If he told Dawn the truth, he'd lose her, as there would be no reason for her to leave Joe. If he kept the secret, he could leave with Dawn and live happily ever after, but he'd have to hide the truth forever.
Wedding Day Tensions
On the day of Dawn and Joe's wedding, Graham hides his worry behind a smile as he promises Joe that nothing will go wrong. Downstairs, Dawn is a bag of nerves as she realises Kim is back. She knows escaping will be impossible with Kim's beady eyes about, but Billy manages to calm her down. Dawn thanks Billy for being so trustworthy, which makes his guilt increase tenfold.
Despite Kim's kindness deepening Dawn's guilt, she forces herself to use her dad's memory to get Kim out of the way so she can leave. Graham, certain that Dawn is hiding something, questions her, and young Lucas accidentally reveals his mum and dad's plan.
Confrontation and Escape
Racing over to Home Farm, Graham catches Dawn outside the stables making a call to Billy. He cannot believe she's about to break Joe's heart, but she reveals she's got every reason to make a run for it as Joe put Billy in hospital. Graham then says something that stops Dawn in her tracks: how did Billy know that Joe attacked him, if the hit happened from behind?
The question hangs heavy for Dawn, but she doesn't allow herself time to think about it too much. Failing to talk her out of leaving, Graham grabs Dawn's car keys. Dawn, desperate, grabs a shovel and smacks Graham to the ground. Time is running out. With Dawn's exit looming, is she really going to run off into the sunset with Billy, or is tragedy waiting?
