Jacob Sugden (Joe-Warren Plant) is left unsettled in Emmerdale next week after crossing paths with Dr Todd (Caroline Harker) when leaving the hospital with baby Leyla. Todd had agreed to a fresh start after medical student Jacob withdrew a complaint he had made against his so-called mentor, who has been bullying him for months.
The sinister doc, as viewers know, has made Jacob's life a living hell since he started working full-time at the hospital, belittling him at every opportunity, making him second-guess every decision, and leaving his self-confidence on the floor. Fed up, he decided to take a stand last week, reporting Todd to HR. Todd, however, got the upper hand when she swooped in to rescue Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), who had just given birth to the baby she was carrying for Jacob and granddaughter Sarah (Katie Hill). Todd used the situation to gaslight Jacob into thinking that people could die in the future if she were to lose her job as a result of the complaint he made.
But with Jacob refusing to back down, Todd finally got the leverage she needed, learning the truth about baby Leyla's parentage – particularly the fact that Jacob is not the biological father. Charity, as viewers will recall, slept with ex Ross Barton (Michael Parr) around the time the embryo transfer did not take, and thus everyone assumed that the baby she fell pregnant with was a result of the transfer. Determined to give Sarah the baby she has always wanted, Charity kept quiet about the fact that it was not actually Sarah and Jacob's.
Armed with the knowledge that the baby is not Jacob's, Todd wasted little time in blackmailing Charity, urging her to get Jacob to withdraw his complaint – or else! Charity had her work cut out for her in convincing Jacob to stop his report from going any further, but ultimately the medical student listened to her advice, withdrawing the complaint. Todd was relieved and promised a 'fresh start' when Jacob returns from paternity leave, and upcoming scenes will see the two encounter one another in the hospital as Jacob and Sarah take baby Leyla home.
Jacob is unnerved by her presence as she takes a closer look at Leyla and then comments that the child 'has his eyes', which is impossible given that he is not the biological dad. She proceeds to heap praise on Jacob, saying his mum would be proud and if anyone can juggle parenthood and a full-time job in the world of medicine, it is Jacob. Her newfound niceness and support leave Jacob bewildered. Has Todd turned over a new leaf? Unlikely, given that she implied his nightmare is only just beginning last week.
Jacob may get a temporary reprieve while he is off duty, but Todd will continue to manipulate the situation to her advantage in the coming episodes, using Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) in order to do so. Will she stop at nothing to destroy Jacob? Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 or streams from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
