Game OVER?
Chas’ world implodes as Belle discovers the truth about her affair
Chas’ affair with Al was brought to a shuddering halt when her lover was fatally shot, and after silently grieving for the shady businessman, she hopes her big secret is now buried with him.
But when Belle discovers that Chas reneged on her promise to nip the relationship in the bud, it looks like the Woolpack manager’s web of lies is finally about to unravel.
And this happens just when Chas has taken stock and sorted her life out… Supported by Paddy as she finds some of late mum Faith’s possessions, and then later, decorating the Christmas tree with daughter Eve, Chas is grateful to have her family around her.
As they then join Rhona and Marlon for dinner, she realises just how much she loves Pads, and, as he surprises her with a gift, she feels privately ashamed for having almost left him.
‘Chas’ love for Paddy has never waned,’ explains actor Lucy Pargeter, who plays the newly chastened cheat. ‘It’s just that her love for Al grew.
‘On the day she was supposed to leave the village with Al, she saw her family and Paddy and she had her doubts and said to Al, “I’m not ready.” So who knows if she’d actually have gone through with leaving Paddy?’
Belle, meanwhile, was alarmed last week by Chas’ cagey behaviour, and can’t help wondering if the affair she uncovered in August, which she believed Chas ended, actually continued up until Al’s death.
When Chloe reveals that Al was at a hotel with someone on the night Faith died, Belle realises her suspicions are bang on, and she furiously confronts her cousin. Cornered Chas reluctantly comes clean, but she’s thrown off guard again when canny Belle suggests the affair was the reason for Cain and Al’s set-to.
Horrified by her own theory, Belle tells Moira everything he knows, and Moira is staggered to think that her family’s nightmare – Kyle shooting
Al, and Cain taking the blame – all stemmed from Chas’ philandering. As for Chas, she’s terrified at the prospect of being exposed, and is thrilled and relieved when Paddy books them an impromptu break.
A relaxing escape from her troubles is just what she needs. But is that what she’s going to get?
‘CHAS’ LOVE FOR PADDY HAS NEVER WANED’