WHILE THE CROOKED DETECTIVE’S TRIAL BEGINS, WILL HIS SON WRECK CHARITY’S CASE?
Emotions run high in the Dales this week, when Bails goes on trial for raping Charity. But as she anxiously prepares to give evidence against the vile cop, their son Ryan is taking matters into his own hands – and attacks his father!
Hoping to save Charity the heartache of proving that Bails abused her for years, Ryan naively appeals to his dad to confess his crimes and plead guilty. However, as Bails still has no intention of doing so, Ryan can’t help but lash out – and throws a plank of wood at him! After Bails reports Ryan and he’s arrested for assault, could the fella’s well-meaning actions have cost Charity the justice she so desperately needs?
“When Charity finds out that Ryan’s been arrested, she’s gobsmacked,” admits Emma Atkins, who plays Charity. “Ryan is in a cell overnight, and Charity spends the whole time worrying. She feels devastated that her son has been dragged into the situation this way, and she knows his adoptive mother Irene will go crazy. Everything seems to be going against her, so she’s convinced that Bails will get off.”
Despite her son’s incarceration, Charity must take to the stand the following morning, when Bails’ trial gets under way. As he gives his own evidence, he claims that he always had genuine feelings for Charity – leaving her more despondent than ever about her chances of proving him guilty.
“Charity never wanted the situation to come to this, but now that she’s opened the box, she has to keep on going,” sighs Emma. “She realises that court is the only option, and she’s kind of putting on a brave face, yet she’s also at a point where she could so easily pull out and run away from it all.
“She knows deep down that morally she has to do it, though she’s convinced that the fact she was a prostitute will work against her, and she doesn’t stand a fighting chance – and that, ultimately, Bails will win.”
As anxiety consumes Charity, it’s Cain who steps in to support her – but until the verdict is announced, she’s set to remain inconsolable.
“Coming face to face with Bails in court is probably the most terrifying thing Charity has had to go through,” admits Emma. “It’s such an ordeal to have to rake up their dark past and discuss it in front of strangers. Revealing all the nitty-gritty out loud is so unpleasant – there’s a lot of fear there. And she’s also still worried about what’s happening to Ryan.”
The trial continues taking its toll on Charity as Bails’ wife is questioned and she backs up her husband’s lies. After at the Woolpack, Charity breaks down, having lost all hope. But with the jury’s decision looming, how will Charity cope should the outcome turn out the way she fears – and Bails is set free?
“Will the trial achieve anything? That’s what she keeps asking herself,” shares Emma. “How would she feel if Bails is found guilty – and how would she feel if he wasn’t? All those questions are swirling round her head, and she’s so unnerved. And now Ryan is involved, which she never wanted to happen.
“Charity is riddled with guilt that her past isn’t just haunting herself – now it’s affecting everyone, and they’re all having to walk on eggshells around her,” adds the star. “She feels such a sense of responsibility about that, and she’s going to have to come to terms with it, regardless of the final verdict…”