Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) has been making waves all over the shop since his return to Emmerdale, but perhaps the most surprising move he’s made is on Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley).
In a shocker for her, despite being married with three children and one poorly baby, Dawn has been indulging in a love affair with wrong-un Joe. And she’s not even sorry.
They haven’t been that careful – brazenly having sex while oblivious Lydia cleaned outside the door. Thank God her rapping to Dizzee Rascal drowned out the sounds.
Joe even got Dawn a job on Home Farm Estates to keep her close, although that one was not as well received by Dawn when she realised he was behind her new role – and that he’d be her boss.
Of course, when she confronted him about the job is the exact moment things got heated and they fell into bed.
Dawn said it would never happen again, but smug Joe knew that she knew she was on to a good thing. He’s up to something, and Dawn is too close to the situation to see it.
Joe’s also harbouring a secret that viewers have seen has left him doubled over in pain – he’s addicted to painkillers. Dawn discovered him with a pot of pills and unconscious in his car. It’s clear he has a problem.
This is perfect to use to get closer to Dawn after she disclosed her own drug use. The pair bond over their shared addition, but just as they start to get close again, they’re interrupted – by Kim Tate (Claire King).
Kim knows something, their behaviour confirms her suspicions. Joe tells her they were just chatting about his drug problem and bonding, which Kim appears to accept – but he’s stupid to think he can pull one over on her.
What is Kim going to do with this damning information?