While Kim Tate was nervous about revealing her secret relationship, Joe Tate was worried about something even scarier: the past

. And the person who held the key to that past — Lydia.

When Lydia suddenly appeared at Home Farm, Joe couldn’t hide his panic.

He froze for a few seconds — the look in his eyes wasn’t that of someone who had just met an old friend.

It was the look of someone who had witnessed something he shouldn’t have seen and was afraid the other would bring it up again.

No one knew what had happened between Joe and Lydia, but it was clear they shared a dark secret. And Lydia returned just as Joe was about to rebuild his life and reputation — just in time to create chaos.

For days, Joe followed Lydia around with a wary eye. He tried to be nice, but Lydia didn’t care. She even said a few half-joking, half-serious things that made Joe break out in a cold sweat:

“That old time… do you remember, Joe?”

Kim didn’t understand what she said, but Joe understood it very well.

Joe began to lose sleep, lose focus, and avoid the tasks Kim assigned him. He felt like he was standing on a bomb about to explode. If Lydia spoke out — not only he, but Home Farm would be dragged into the vortex.

One night, Joe decided to confront Lydia. But when he stood before her, the first thing Lydia said was:
“Will you choose to hide or choose to tell the truth?”
Joe was stunned. Lydia didn’t shout, didn’t threaten — but the way she spoke made Joe understand that Lydia knew more than she let on.

The story became more serious when the villagers began to notice Joe’s unusual behavior. He often startled, often looked back, and avoided mentioning Lydia’s name like the name of a dead person. Kim also began to suspect Joe of hiding something — further damaging their already fragile relationship.

Lydia, on the other hand, appeared calm. But every step she took, every word she said… seemed to bring up the past, to keep Joe from sleeping peacefully.

What was the truth? What was Joe hiding about Lydia? And more importantly — what would Lydia do with that secret?

Rumors spread: Lydia didn’t come back to destroy Joe — but to save someone Joe had harmed in the past. If this was true, Emmerdale was about to witness an explosion bigger than the Kim scandal.

Joe knew he was being pushed into a corner. And if Lydia revealed the truth, he would not only lose Kim — but also his image and future in Emmerdale.

Christmas was coming — but for Joe, it wouldn’t be a holiday. This was the moment he had to decide: confess, run away, or strike back… before Lydia could strike.