Tom has faced new scrutiny over his possessiveness this week, though nobody knows yet that he has been physically and emotionally abusing wife Belle for months.

In Wednesday’s (June 12) episode on ITV1 and streaming service ITVX, Belle was deeply conflicted over her pregnancy and reacted sheepishly when Tom tried to lavish her with gifts.

“Things are going to change when this baby gets here,” Tom promised as he took Belle’s hand. “It’s just going to be the three of us. No-one else. We’ll be fine, I promise.”

At the cafe later on, Tom revealed to his boss Rhona Goskirk and aunt Nicola King that Belle is pregnant. It wasn’t long before the news started spreading around the whole village.

Belle was shocked and upset that Tom had told everyone about their pregnancy so early. When Belle questioned Tom, he insisted “nothing bad” would happen and they should be happy to celebrate the news.

“I know it’s not the way you wanted to do it but it’s going to be okay,” Tom told her.

The couple later had an appointment at the surgery, where nurse Wendy immediately clocked that Belle seemed downcast about her pregnancy.

Tom raised Wendy’s suspicions further by asking her to send him details for all of Belle’s prenatal appointments so he could be sure she was staying on top of it all.

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Wendy discreetly asked Tom to wait outside for part of the appointment, and once he reluctantly left the room, she had a chance to speak frankly.

“I have to ask you, Belle, is everything okay? You know, whatever you tell me, it will stay within this room,” Wendy promised her. “You can trust me.”

Belle played it off that she was upset Tom had already publicly announced the pregnancy, though Wendy could sense her patient’s reluctance to criticise her husband.

The next time viewers saw the couple, they were back at home and receiving some gifts from Jimmy and Nicola. Belle later assured Tom all was well and they shared a kiss.

Once Tom went upstairs for a bath, the smile faded from Belle’s face momentarily before she gathered up the gifts…