Emmerdale stalwart Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) is no longer the village kingpin he used to be, and a big decision will see him realise this.
Eric’s health has been on the decline for a while, long before he received his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and his decline has sped up since. It’s already meant some huge changes in his life, but he’s not been ready to accept his fate. Until now.
Caleb Miligan’s (William Ash) new business venture is getting on Eric’s nerves. He makes it known to Caleb that he is not happy about the increase in traffic thanks to his new warehouse. Caleb, on the other hand, couldn’t be more unbothered. He brushes him off, leaving Eric aghast at being dismissed.
Eric refuses not to be heard and concocts a typically Eric plan – he steals one of Caleb’s lorries.
In the midst of making his point and in a heightened state of stress, Eric – who is also without his medication – suffers hand tremors. Unable to keep his grip on the large vehicle, he crashes.
Pollard is left both shaken and shaking, barely able to hold it together.
Caleb confronts him at the shop and Pollard does his best to maintain composure as Caleb berates him for his idiocy. Caleb warns him – mess with his business again and find out what Caleb is capable of.
Put firmly in his place, ailing Eric is embarrassed the next day when Caleb finds him wandering the village, not fully with it.
Caleb is humbled and offers Eric a lift. Pollard is incredulous, but ultimately realises he’s done, he can’t fight anymore to be the ruthless businessman he once was. In one of the biggest decisions since his diagnosis, a defeated Pollard gives in. It’s time to accept help.
Caleb drives him to Liam’s house where Pollard swallows his pride and thanks Caleb.
Liam reassures him that the paralysis he experienced was just because he didn’t have his medication and not a huge cause for concern, but Eric swears him to secrecy anyway.
At the shop, Caleb pops by and is surprised to see Eric back behind the counter.
The determined man decides to tell Caleb that he’s not giving up, and the two characters realise a friendship is starting to form between them.
