Megan: her baby is taken!
AS HER CHARACTER COMMITS A HUGE CHILDCARE NO-NO, GAYNOR FAYE RECKONS THE STAKES ARE HIGH…
As a successful businesswoman and devoted mother, who still finds time to entertain the village’s most eligible bachelor, Megan Macey has to be the Dales’ answer to Superwoman. But this week the multitasking machine proves she is human after all, when a parenting error quickly spirals into a mum’s worst nightmare. Having carelessly left baby Eliza in her car, Megan is mortified to find that her daughter has vanished from the vehicle! And with Jai consequently calling into question his ex’s abilities as a parent, actress Gaynor Faye predicts Megan’s usually meticulous life is about to be turned upside down…
Hi Gaynor! How on earth does Megan allow this situation to occur?
She tries to juggle business, pleasure and a child – and it all comes crashing down! We know Eliza has cerebral palsy and Megan is very protective of her, but on this day she is particularly busy when she has to unexpectedly collect Eliza from nursery. A client is waiting for Megan as she pulls up in the village, and it later dawns on her that she’s left Eliza in the car. But when she goes to get her, the door is open and her daughter isn’t there…
As a mum, did you find these scenes a challenge to film?
Well, I’ve never left either of my children [Lily Mae, aged 13, and 16-year-old Oliver] in the car! As Gaynor, that thought is inconceivable to me. But I know it happens. Somebody told me they once saw some twin babies left in the back of a Range Rover at a supermarket. They waited, and nobody came. I was like, “Who does that?”. So I can’t put myself in Megan’s shoes, but learning that your child is missing must be the worst feeling.
What has it been like mothering a baby that isn’t yours on set?
Kyrena [Robinson, who plays Eliza] is such a little poppet! She’s beautiful. And it’s great because I get my baby fix at work. I get all the baby cuddles, which is fab, but then I get to give her back and know I’ll be able to sleep well that night!
We know you can’t tell us the consequences of Megan’s error – but how does Jai react to it all?
Well, he has so much ammunition now. That’s like his trump card. In Megan’s eyes, Jai is always looking for something to use against her so he can get his own way, and she thinks he’ll take advantage if social services get involved. He’ll want more access, and he’s looking like dad of the year compared with Megan! In a lot of ways, I can empathise with Jai, but there’s no way Megan will let him get his hands on her daughter!
What do you think Megan will make of Jai’s friendship with Nell?
Well, when she realises where Jai has met Nell, alarm bells ring. She’s put her trust in him, thinking he’s turned a corner, but this girl disrupts everything. Megan doesn’t want anyone with an addictive personality around her child.
Would you like Jai and Megan to get back together?
No, he’s definitely burnt his bridges on that front. He had two affairs with her best friend and business partner Leyla, so once bitten twice shy I think. She would never go back there.
Frank is a catch – but he’s a cheat, too! Could Megan forgive him for sleeping with Charity?
I don’t think so – Charity is her nemesis! She is the one person who gets right under Megan’s skin. They’re like two dogs sniffing around each other, and me and Emma [Atkins, aka Charity] love it! Frank is sexy, cool and just works perfectly for Megan, but I don’t think she could deal with this. I can’t wait to see the fireworks when she does find out because in true Megan style, she’ll get her revenge!
What’s the best thing about having Michael Praed, aka Frank, as your Emmerdale lover?
He has a story about everybody and everything, and there’s never a dull moment on set with Michael. He’s bright, funny and constantly singing! I’m enjoying working with him, and he’s a great guy to have around.
In true Megan style, she’ll get her revenge on Frank!