Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) has discovered a potentially incriminating text from Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) on husband Marlon Dingle’s (Mark Charnock) phone in Emmerdale.

The couple have had quite a turbulent time over the festive period, ever since Marlon’s daughter April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) was discovered to be missing on Christmas Day.

A huge search operation has ensued, with all the villagers scouring the area to track her down.

Earlier this week, family liaison officer Anna (Rhea Bailey) asked whether police officers could search Smithy Cottage in the hope of finding more evidence, and discovered that she had taken money.

The whole disappearance had been carefully plotted by April. Not only that, but contraceptive pills were found in her bedside drawer.

After a search of devices, it was found that she had been using a pseudonym on a secret social media account.

There was also a video of a drunken April heading to a party, with Marlon feeling like he had failed as a parent.

He rushed out of the house, with Anna following him. She revealed that there was something else she had discovered, that probably would not be best mentioned in Rhona’s presence.

She said that in some of April’s videos, the youngster referred to texts that had been exchanged her dad and his ex-wife Laurel.

Anna asked outright if he was having an affair, but he brushed off her theory – but there was some weight behind what she’d thought up.

He ran to Laurel and explained about what Amelia had discovered. She was relieved to hear that Rhona was still in the dark over the matter, but couldn’t believe that the police knew.

Laurel warned that ‘if this gets out’ she could ‘lose everything’.

What could be so secret?

In tonight’s episode, Marlon spiralled when Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) – who had started his first day working at Hotten General’s emergency department – called to say a stab victim had been rushed in, and it was April.

Jacob had discovered her purse in the victim’s belongings, and instantly assumed it was her.

Marlon and Rhona dashed over, and were later delivered the tragic news that April had passed away whilst doctors were operating on her.

Later, they were called in to formally identify the body. To their horror, it wasn’t their daughter.

Rhona saw red, and started to tear strips off Jacob for making such a quick decision to contact them. However, Marlon reasoned that he was only doing what he thought was best in a moment of panic.

As they began to make their journey home, Rhona dropped Marlon’s phone on the floor.

She picked it up and read a text from Laurel: ‘Thanks for keeping quiet about us, I couldn’t cope without you.’

Has Rhona uncovered an affair?