There are tough times ahead for Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Paddy (Dominic Brunt) in Emmerdale, as Chas continues to live with the fallout of her affair with Al Chapman (Michael Wildman).

As much as she’s struggling with grief following Al’s death, she’s also living with the guilt she feels over Paddy – and the ever-present worry that he could find out about her secret affair.

According to Lucy Pargeter, Christmas makes Chas reassess what she wants from life – and it’s Paddy. ‘When she’s decorating the tree she at last feels she has fully returned to the life she was supposed to be living,’ she says.

‘She’s eager to make that stronger and put her second life that she had running along at the same time, to bed. Chas has been running two different lives – unfortunately they came together. She’s now focusing on the real life she should have stayed in.’

While Chas wants to move on, there are constant reminders of her relationship with Al. ‘In the village it is still very relevant, as people like Chloe (Jessie Elland) are talking about it,’ Lucy says. ‘The consequences of her actions are still relevant but mentally, Chas has put the affair behind her.’

One of the people who’s still talking about Al is Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper), who knew about the affair. In upcoming episodes she asks Chas straight out whether she was with Al on the night Faith (Sally Dexter) died.

‘She’s panicked,’ Lucy says of her character’s reaction to Belle’s question. ‘She thought Belle had let that drop. She’s very worried indeed as Belle is not going to be bluffed off this time.’

Which of course raises the possibility that Belle could tell Paddy what she knows, or force Chas to tell him. ‘She is terrified of it coming out,’ Lucy says. ‘She doesn’t want him to know as it’s done, it’s over. She’s moved on. She’s put it to bed and she’s back to her real life, not the fantasy she was living.’

Lucy says that she is ‘absolutely terrified’ of what the future holds for Chas and Paddy as a couple as this story unfolds.

She says, ‘Paddy would be totally and utterly devastated. Paddy has always been her rock. I think Chas could go through anything and Paddy would be there to support her. She is very grateful which is compounding her guilt for jeopardising their relationship.’

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