Paul faces his abuser, Kel
PAUL COMES FACE TO FACE WITH HIS ABUSER KEL…
There’s horror for Paul this week, as mum Bernie reveals that she’s reunited with ex-partner Kel – the man who abused him as a teenager.
Paul is fuming when he learns that Bernie has been running a pregnancy test scam, and now she’s bringing Kel back into their lives – so he plots to get rid of them both. Worried by Paul’s dark mood and his reaction to Kel’s return, Billy seeks answers from Gemma as to why he hates their former stepdad. But as Gemma just explains that the two used to be thick as thieves before Paul flipped out one day, Billy fears there’s more to be uncovered.
“This is Paul’s nightmare – he wants to tear the world down,” shares our Corrie insider. “Seeing this evil man who manipulated and took advantage of him as a child back with Bernie disgusts him. Paul already has a complicated relationship with his mum, and this feels like another betrayal from her. The sooner they are both gone, the better.”
It looks as if Paul might get his wish when a furious man knocks at the door of No 5, and says he’s the victim of a hoax pregnancy plot. It’s the final straw for Chesney, who insists that Bernie leaves immediately. Later, in the Rovers, Paul is left stunned when Kel turns up to join the family for a drink as Bernie announces that they have decided to give things another go. It’s a horrible moment for Paul – but worse is to come…
“Paul goes outside to collect his thoughts and Kel follows him!” says our spy. “When they are alone, Kel tells Paul that what they had together years ago was special, but that he’s serious about Bernie now. This disgusting move is designed to make Paul complicit in the abuse and to try to normalise what happened. It leaves poor Paul feeling devastated and helpless, just as he did when he was a child.”
Kel’s return doesn’t last long because, after his conversation with Paul, he scarpers. Vicious Bernie turns on her son and blames him for making Kel feel unwelcome – an exchange that troubles Billy. He knows this is out of character for Paul and is concerned by the apparent distress that his ex-love is in. Determined to help, Billy gets some intel from Gemma and discovers Paul was just 14 when the trouble happened. So, he decides to go and speak to Paul directly.
“Billy asks Paul outright if anything untoward happened
Paul is disgusted to see the man who abused him as a child…”
to him, and it sparks a furious reaction,” explains our sneak. “He’s raging, desperate to get rid of Billy and never have to think about this again. It’s clear to Billy that Paul has been abused and he wants to help him. But when he speaks to David, who also suffered sexual abuse, the wise bloke counsels him to give Paul space and let him talk when he’s ready.”
As Billy reassures Paul he’ll back off, instead of being happy, Paul accuses the vicar of abandoning him. Can anyone help Paul in his darkest hour?