The following article contains spoilers from an episode of Emmerdale that hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.

John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) has targeted Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) again in Emmerdale only this time, he used a child in his harsh plan.

Robert was tasked with looking after his nephew Harry today because Victoria Sugden’s (Isabel Hodgins) original plans for childcare had fallen through. He was very reluctant and told Vic he didn’t really want to, because Harry doesn’t know why his uncle Robert was in prison.

Vic reminded Robert that Harry is too young to understand this anyways. He managed a smile, and let Vic get ready for work.

In the café, Robert tried to connect with Harry, but it was clear looking after a small child was a skill he lacked.

They were visited by Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), who wondered what they’d be up to today. Robert was keen for Aaron to hang out with them as well, but the arrival of John meant Aaron ignored any temptation.

As Robert left the table, John spoke to Harry and said that it would be a really good idea if he plays his new drum around Robert. John is completely aware that Robert is struggling after leaving prison, and knew the loud banging would irritate him.

Harry played the drum and the noise wound Robert up a lot. He shouted at Harry to stop and who arrived right on time to witness this? John, of course.

Harry ran to John and hugged him. He comforted the young lad and made out that he was terrified. Robert couldn’t help but wonder if John was overreacting a little bit, and was certainly suspicious that his distant brother was there again.

John calmed Harry down and when he spoke to Robert, he suggested that his state of mind has made him unpredictable. John knew exactly what he was doing, and his words really touched a nerve. He told Robert that he needs to go back to work, but isn’t sure if it would be safe to leave him alone with Harry.

Robert knows in his heart that he’d never hurt a child, let alone his little nephew, but doubt and worry had started to creep in because John reminded him of the time he punched Vic, and the recent ordeal that saw Robert put John in hospital.

Robert said that Harry would be fine, but he was on edge.

At the start of next week, Robert’s fragile mind will leave him in an incredibly vulnerable state.

Robert snapping at Harry is excellent ammunition for John to go back to Victoria with tales of Robert’s nasty behaviour to her son, and to reiterate to Aaron how bad a person Robert is.

Then John visits Robert to rub it in that he’s probably lost both Victoria and Aaron.

Robert is in despair after this, and starts smashing up his room. Aaron hears this commotion and goes into the house, finding Robert apparently at the very end of his tether, a broken man.

Aaron comforts him and reassures him that the situation isn’t as bad as he thinks and there’s still hope.

Aaron admits that he has unresolved feelings for Robert, and that’s why he’s been pushing him away recently because he can’t cope with how he feels. Overcome by emotion, the two men give in to their mutual feelings for each other and end up in bed together.

‘It’s kind of a take it as it is, just this moment kind of thing’, Ryan Hawley said, discussing what Robert thinks of his moment with Aaron.

‘And you know, they even say to each other, we don’t want to think about any of that now, the circumstances that we’ve got is complicated. It is what it is right now, and then we’ll see from there. It kind of leads into the next phase of the story.

‘They kind of take it for what it is, and it’s more kind of as a kicking point or starting point for the next storyline.’