Tonight, in an hour-long episode of Emmerdale, the show ramps up the torment as viewers are going to learn that Tom won't give up on relentlessly teasing Belle. Of course, it will crank up tension among the characters.
Vinny, on the other hand, finds himself stepping out to face and manage his concerns head-on, showing that he has grown and is determined despite all the odd situations.
But that's not all, as Jai is in for a rude shock when Laurel pulls out a sucker punch that could change everything in their relationship. Here are the detailed highlights of tonight's episode.
Emmerdale tonight: Belle had a visitor overnight
When Belle wakes up, she discovers a chair, an oven mitt, and a dish on the stove have been moved. She knows she didn't do that and checks the door locks. Tom watches Belle on the hidden camera and looks amused.
Jimmy interrupts Tom, watching Belle on his phone. Tom tells Jimmy how sad he is about Piper and says that Belle is being vile. Jimmy tells Tom no matter how hard Belle makes it for him, just to ignore her.
Emmerdale tonight: Tom tells Belle he disposed of Piper
Belle goes to the vet clinic to get Piper's body, but Tom tells her she isn't there as he doesn't have the storage to keep her. He implies that he put Piper on the garbage truck, and Belle snaps that Tom did that to twist the knife in her some more.
Belle figures out that this was what Tom meant when he told her she'd regret trying to leave him.
Vinny runs into Charity, who apologizes for embarrassing him about his concerns about sex with Gabby. She encourages Vinny to talk to Gabby and notes that there is nothing more appealing than a man who isn't scared of communication.
Gabby comes to work and announces to Jai that she is going to buy him out. She says she has a meeting with her solicitor in the office and doesn't want to be interrupted.
Emmerdale tonight: Vinny tries to talk about a sensitive subject
Vinny goes to Gabby and tells her that he wants to put it out there so it doesn't become a problem and says he is concerned that their differences in intercourse will affect them.
Gabby says she is satisfied with their love life, and Vinny is embarrassed for sounding so needy.
Gabby gives Jai a written offer for his shares, and he thinks it's a decent price. When Laurel comes in, Gabby reveals she is her new investor and business partner.
Jai tells Laurel she is clueless, and they bicker about her being an investor. Later, Jai is on the phone and says that Laurel doesn't have a clue what's coming.
Belle explains her theory to Sam and Lydia about Tom letting out Piper, but they don't believe it. They tell her Tom is on his way with Piper for a burial.
Tom arrives with a basket and tells Belle he would have told her if she'd let him. Belle is upset that he is twisting everything. Lydia tells Belle that it was probably a misunderstanding.
Emmerdale tonight: A funeral is held for Piper
At Piper's burial, Tom gives the eulogy. Sam asks Belle if she has any memories she would like to share, and she yells at Tom for the time that he locked PIper outside all night and wouldn't let her in the house while she cried.
Tom makes excuses and Lyda and Sam tell Belle that Tom is upset and she's being unfair to him. Belle tells them that Tom is faking his tears. She kneels at Piper's basket and apologizes for not protecting her.
Belle is walking home when Tom pulls up and gets out of his car. He yells at her for her accusations and tells her she embarrassed herself in front of Sam and Lydia. She calls him sick and twisted, but Tom tells Belle that everyone is sick and tired of her.
Belle tells him he pushed her, locked her in, and punched her, and she knows he was in her house that morning. Tom tells her no one will believe her and steps towards her to intimidate her.
Tom says to Belle that she is to blame for Piper dying and not knowing how to run away from a car instead of towards it. "Maybe she recognized the driver," Tom laughs. Belle realizes Tom hit Piper and tells him.
Emmerdale tonight: Manpreet and Ella go to the pub
Manpreet sees Ella and tells her that Liam still asks about her. She wonders if Ella is interested in getting back together with Liam, but Ella says she is not. Manpreet asks her to go to the pub and tries to encourage her to date, but Ella isn't ready.
Tom goes to the pub and sees Gabby. He asks if it's serious between her and Vinny and says if it weren't so soon after Belle, he'd throw his hat in the ring. Vinny walks in, and Gabby happily gives him her attention instead.
Belle sits with an officer at the police station who asks if something happened to make her come in. Belle nods and says she thought 'it would stop' if she left her husband. Belle tells the officer she knows of Clare's Law and wants to know if Tom has abused anyone else.
Emmerdale next airs on ITV on 21st August 2024. US viewers can watch the show on Britbox.