There was some relief for Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) in Emmerdale recently when she discovered that Ethan Anderson (Emile John)’s cause of death was an aneurysm.

Prior to that, scheming Ruby had been about to confess to Charles (Kevin Mathurin) that she’d run Ethan over in the days before his death and was worried that this was the cause of his sudden collapse.

This relief, however, was short-lived. For one thing Ruby’s son Nicky (Lewis Cope) was disgusted by her behaviour and when he saw his parents apparently celebrating after finding out about Ethan’s cause of death he felt it was the last straw in an already fraught relationship and started thinking about leaving the village.

There’s worse to come for Ruby in upcoming episodes and it all starts when Charles gets drunk in the Woolpack. He’s just heard that the police are dropping Ethan’s hit and run case.

Charity (Emma Atkins) tells Caleb (William Ash) that Charles is probably reluctant to go back home, the place where Ethan died and that’s full of memories of his son. So Caleb, rather unwisely under the circumstances, brings Charles back home with him to Mill Cottage. Ruby is understandably rather alarmed to see their new house guest arrive.

The next morning Charles is grateful to the Miligans for their hospitality. But then he accidentally spills coffee on a rug and goes to get a cloth – and spots an intriguing invoice.

This invoice is obviously a clue that makes Charles realise the Miligans are connected to what happened to Ethan, but rather than confronting them directly he takes a more sinister approach. He insists on giving Caleb a lift into Hotten – the kind of ‘insist’ that doesn’t take no for an answer.

Caleb is uneasy, and even more concerned when an emotional Charles stops in a lay-by and gets out of the car, heading off through the woods. Caleb follows, worried about the vicar’s state of mind. Charles at first reminisces about Ethan and Caleb does his best to be comforting.

Then Charles’s expression changes and he reveals what’s really on his mind – he knows that either Caleb or Ruby had something to do with running Ethan over. As Charles’s anger mounts, Caleb tries to return to the car, but is stopped by Charles who produces the invoice as evidence.

He’s determined to get to the truth, and Caleb realises that Ruby could be about to be exposed – and could end up in prison for her deliberate act of revenge against Ethan.

How far will he go to protect his wife?