Emmerdale opened a dark new chapter for Arthur and Laurel Thomas, with the pair’s relationship potentially being fractured. After the dramatic storyline involving Ray Walters began to wind down, Laurel is in the drama again.

The figure found herself at the centre of the action after beginning a relationship with Ray, who – unknowingly to Laurel – was working with Celia Daniels in running a criminal operation in the village.

Following Ray’s murder, the ITV soap began a special storyline earlier this week as a series of flashback episodes would reveal who committed the crime, with Laurel being one of the suspects.

Tonight’s (22 January) episode saw the killer revealed (more on that later), but a new fact came to light after Arthur threatened Ray just as he was preparing to leave the Dales. As the villain walked away, Arthur struck him and stole his bag from the car.

Arthur soon rushed home, where Laurel was speaking with Nicola. After Laurel spotted that her son was carrying Ray’s bag, she quickly ushered Nicola away and demanded that Arthur explain himself.

Her mood worsened as she discovered that drugs were inside the bag, though Arthur maintained that he didn’t know this when making the grab. He explained that he did it to stop Ray from getting away, but Laurel wasn’t best pleased.

Despite Arthur imploring her to call the police, Laurel pointed out that their possession of the drugs wouldn’t exactly look good. An argument ensued, with Arthur saying that Laurel had brought another “loser to the house” following the death of his father.

After Arthur continued down the same path, he said that his late father would be disgusted by Laurel’s actions. After this, she struck Arthur around the face, and he subsequently left after she tried to tend to his wound.

With the stress of the situation and Arthur’s remarks coming before Laurel made a terrible decision, could she have driven her son away for good? Or will Arthur be able to forgive her despite her wrongs?

Elsewhere in the episode, the identity of Ray’s killer was finally revealed to be Bear Wolf, who many had thought to be deceased. As he strangled Ray to death in front of Paddy and Dylan, the trio now have a murder to cover up…