Oh how things have changed for Emmerdale’s Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).
Prior to the introduction of Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), Robert and Aaron were planning their future together.
Robert ended up juggling time with Aaron and visiting Kev, his secret husband, in prison. Everything changed a few days ago though, when Robert discovered that Kev was getting released.
The character was being sent to the Anderson household as part of an outreach project. Kev explained to Robert that he was being freed because of his good behaviour, and also that he doesn’t have very long left to live anyway.
Kev was very much looking forward to seeing Robert everyday, but the feeling wasn’t mutual. As Kev arrived in the village on Monday, Robert had to convince both him and Aaron that they had nothing to worry about. He then had to continue his relationship with Kev, all while reconnecting with Aaron.
It was a lot, so it’s no great surprise living two lives didn’t last very long for him.
Robert’s connection with Kev was discovered by Aaron when he saw them kissing outside the pub. Robert raced after Aaron and told him that their connection means more to him than his marriage with Kev. Aaron, who is recovering after his ordeal with John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), simply told Robert that they were done.
Back at Kev’s new place, he was in a terrible panic. Kissing Robert in public was a huge move for him because he was afraid of being openly gay, so having Robert run off left Kev confused.
He then collapsed and was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack. When Aaron and Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) got word an ambulance was outside the Anderson home, they assumed Kev had done something to Robert.
When they got to the hospital, Aaron was surprised to see Robert had been crying. In the corridor, Robert explained to Aaron that he has love for Kev, but that man isn’t the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Aaron stood his ground and told Robert to end things with Kev right now, but he couldn’t.
And that was more than enough for Aaron.
In today’s episode, Robert continued to plead with Aaron. He explained that his relationship with Kev started after he saved him from the inmates who kept attacking him, and pursued things because he never thought he’d get out of prison, let alone see Aaron again.
Ultimately though, Robert can’t bring himself to tell a dying man the truth. Maybe it’s because he really loves him, or maybe it’s because he wants Kev’s money after he dies. Either way, sitting back and waiting for the man’s illness to take his life so he could be with Robert wasn’t something Aaron was prepared to do.
The status of their relationship confirmed, Aaron took to drowning his sorrows in the pub that afternoon.
He ended up clashing with Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson), who was stressed out about his marriage to Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) ending.
Robert decided to step in and told Aaron to take his anger out on him, not Vinny.
So that’s exactly what he did.
Outside, Aaron grabbed Robert after he made a comment about him being oblivious to John’s true self. He said he hates him, and wants Robert out of his life for good.
Ouch.
