Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) isn’t the only one hiding a life of petty crime in Emmerdale – there’s another guilty party in town.

Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) is harbouring a devastating secret of having been ripping off Eric Pollard (Chris Chittel) for thousands of pounds.

She’s a reluctant thief, having been forced into stealing the dosh after falling on very hard times. Nonetheless, she’s a thief.

Tracy was caught red handed by Leyla (Roxy Shahidi), but Leyla died by broken wine glass before she could stop her friend from making things worse.

So with no one around to talk sense into her, Tracy continued sliding her hand in the till.

Tracy is consumed by absolute shame at her actions, but with so much financial pressure, she feels she has no choice.

She pockets yet more money, but the next day is hit with her biggest fear – Pollard intends to look over the accounts to prepare the business for sale.

Pollard immediately notices the missing money and beats himself up over what he’s missed, leaving Tracy distraught as he praises her for being his support.

Caught up in her lie, Tracy feels the sudden urge to confess – to sister Vanessa (Michelle Hardwick). Tracy is given a momentary reprieve from her guilt as Vanessa apologises for being so blissfully unaware of her financial struggles and gives her cash to right the wrong.

Tracy gratefully takes the money and puts it back, playing on Eric’s illness by convincing him he’d just misplaced it. Tracy is left feeling awful once again when Pollard insists on thanking her with a lunch.

But this is where Tracy comes unstuck – he takes her to the pub for lunch, where Vanessa has been spending her time getting drunk.

Vanessa tears into her sister about the money theft, and in turn revealing all to a stunned Pollard. With no choice, Pollard sacks Tracy with immediate effect.