Life has been unravelling for Eric Pollard (Chris Chittel) for quite some time since receiving his Parkinson’s diagnosis in Emmerdale, although it’s mostly poor decisions and not his illness to blame.

While yes, his declining health has had a significant impact, his decision to squander partner Brenda’s (Lesley Dunlop) life savings on crypto was certainly a catalyst.

It saw him left completely broke and single, and contemplating burning down his own business just so that he could pay Brenda back and right his dreadful wrong.

Some might say bad Karma is now following him around as he is now losing even more cash thanks to his ‘top employee’ Tracy (Amy Walsh).

Eric recently gave Tracy the responsibility of keeping the books for the business, unaware that she’s had her hand in the till to the tune of £2,000 plus.

Viewers learned of Tracy’s theft in a flashback conversation with Leyla (Roxy Shahidi), who caught her pocketing £20. Tracy then confessed she was so hard up having received no maintenance from Nate, she’d been forced to steal to keep afloat.

It’s likely not long until Pollard realises that he’s been the victim of embezzlement and betrayal of the worst kind – and that he’s even further away from paying Brenda back than he realised – but first, there’s another heartbreak.

He’s still desperate to make things up to Brenda. With his health on the downward slope, the one thing keeping him going is the thought he could one day win Brenda back.

So, Pollard is floored when Jimmy (Nick Miles) tells Pollard that there might be a chance for him with Brenda. She’s won a cruise and has a plus one ticket, and perhaps it’s Pollard she wants to take.

This is the ray of hope Pollard desperately and he gears himself up to make the case of his life in appealing for her to consider taking him back.

The next day Brenda wants to talk to him. Eric is beside himself with joy as he thinks this is his moment.

But he’s got completely the wrong idea as Brenda reveals the real reason that she wants to talk to him, and it’s not a reconciliation, it’s more bad news.

How will Pollard cope with this fresh blow?