Emmerdale legend returns straight into the heart of a deadly situation

Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) timed his return perfectly in tonight’s Emmerdale, as he was quickly tasked with supporting some struggling family members.

The much-loved character has been away for a few weeks visiting his daughter Debbie in Australia.

Cain left at a time when things were fairly quiet. Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) was still dealing with stressful situations at the farm, yes, but Nate Robinson’s murder case had been closed, which was a sign that Cain could finally start to heal.

While Cain was gone, John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) got settled into their holiday cottage. We say holiday cottage, but it wasn’t really. They were actually staying in John’s childhood home, he just didn’t tell Aaron that.

Aaron should’ve legged it out of the cottage seconds after he laid his eyes on his partner’s old bedroom, but he fell victim to John’s manipulative ways again. He liked John’s idea of them moving in and doing the place up, in agreement both of them needed a fresh start.

What followed next was Aaron discovering that John was connected to Mackenzie Boyd’s (Lawrence Robb) vanishing a few weeks ago. He had found Mack’s phone among John’s belongings, and knew he was in danger.

He tried to escape and drive back home, but Aaron still had drugs in his system from the spiking so moving fast wasn’t possible. He was found by John and led back inside.

But once John headed out to check on a kidnapped Mackenzie, Aaron headed into the woods to try and find his trapped friend.

In the lair, John told Mack that they wouldn’t see each other anymore. He then gave him a syringe and said if he wanted to end his misery, he could inject himself with the drug.

John climbed up the ladder, leaving Mackenzie all alone. Over the past couple of days, we’ve briefly seen him still laying on the bed in the bunker.

Mackenzie has been crying and shouting for help, but his situation hasn’t changed.

Aaron’s attempt at finding his best mate failed due to getting lost in the woods, and ending up at the edge of a gorge. A showdown then ensued with him and John, that ultimately saw Aaron learn about all of the crimes his husband has committed.

When Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) burst onto the scene, John grew convinced that his arrival was all part of some weird plan. He grabbed Aaron and then threw them both from the gorge, leaving Robert horrified.

Yesterday, Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) discovered that Aaron had been placed in a coma as a result of a bleed on his brain. Elsewhere in the hospital, John had got out of the ordeal relatively unscathed – he had a few broken ribs, and a damaged ego, but his recovery wasn’t going to take very long.

As Chas remained consumed with worry about her son, Cain had surprised Moira with a return earlier than expected. Moira was happy to see her husband, but the devastation over what had happened with Aaron and John quickly washed over her face.

Cain raced to the hospital and found Chas and Sam Dingle (James Hooton). Cain hugged Chas, and then thanked Sam for being there while he wasn’t around.

Back in the village, Moira, Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) and Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) were discussing the situation and Mackenzie.

Moira knew that Mack would return home if he discovered Aaron was in hospital, and couldn’t understand why he still wasn’t back. This, along with the odd voice notes Mack left her and Charity, left Moira wondering if something else might be going on.

Given Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) wondered this very same thing last week, two people now expressing one thought certainly left Charity curious.

With Robert getting charged with attempted murder in this instalment, the only chance Mack has of being found currently lies with Aaron.

But if John gets his way and his partner doesn’t wake up, what hope does Mackenzie have?