There was tension at Butlers Farm in tonight’s visit to Emmerdale, as Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) faced the prospect of her brain surgery the next day.
Moira was diagnosed with a brain tumour after experiencing various symptoms, including mood swings, lapses of memory and seizures. She was told she would need surgery to remove the tumour, and after putting it off because Cain (Jeff Hordley) was dealing with the death of Zak (Steve Halliwell), the day of the procedure is almost here.
Since Moira was told she would have to have surgery, she’s been realistic about the chances that something could go wrong during the operation. She’s absolutely terrified about dying, or finding that she isn’t the same person any more afterwards.
Cain refused to face these possibilities, which meant that Moira previously confided in Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) about what she would want to happen if she had no capacity to make decisions for herself after the surgery.
Now, with the operation imminent, she was determined to enjoy the day with her family and made a special lunch, getting Kyle (Huey Quinn) and Isaac (Bobby Dunsmuir) back from school so everyone could be together.
Before that she talked to Cain about the operation and said it was due to take hours and she wanted him to go to work as usual to take his mind off things. She told him that he had to be strong if anything went wrong. ‘It won’t,’ he insisted.
After Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) had taken the boys back to school, Moira reminded Cain that he knew where her will was. Again, he refused to engage with the possibility that she might die. Moira told him he had to deal with the fact that she might die ‘in case the worst happens.’
She wanted him to promise that he could look after Kyle and Isaac and the farm if she didn’t make it, imploring him, ‘Please can you do that for me?’
Cain had had enough and said he wouldn’t answer because it was her job and she’d be here to do it, ‘End of.’ He stormed out, leaving Moira in tears.
Later she went to see Chas (Lucy Pargeter), and told her that Cain was burying his head in the sand.
She told Chas that she was scared for Cain and the boys, and through her tears she asked Chas to look out for them if she wasn’t around, because Chas is the only person Cain listens to. Chas agreed and the two women hugged.
Meanwhile Cain was at the garage, but his mind was very far from his work as he contemplated his fears about what could happen the next day.
Will Moira make it through the operation?
