Abe Fielding’s (Tyler Conti) lies start to catch up with him in Hollyoaks next week as a number of villagers start to suspect that Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) is actually much closer to home.
Cleo, as viewers know, was kidnapped by Abe just before the Channel 4 soap jumped one year into the future, with the subsequent episode confirming that she’d been held captive by the abuser for a whole year.
The McQueens believe her to be in Bali, resting and recuperating after what Abe put her through, unaware that she’s still in the village.
Cleo attempted to escape a number of weeks ago but ultimately she returned to her captivity, feeling unable to step outside the flat. A heated showdown ensued, with Abe pushing Cleo, which led to her getting injured.
Abe subsequently abandoned Cleo for weeks while he jetted off on holiday with Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell), who has unexpectedly given him a chance, despite what he put Cleo through previously.
While they were away, Cleo’s wound became infected, with Abe returning home to find her in a very bad way. He refused to take Cleo to the hospital and therefore he used her hospital pass in a bid to obtain access to the antibiotics needed to help her.
Cleo’s pass, however, did not work, leaving him with little choice but to steal Peri’s in order to get the medicine required to treat Cleo, who subsequently recovered.
Abe believed that he’d got away with such a thing unscathed but Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) is on the case next week when she finds out that Cleo’s pass has been used recently.
She mentions such a thing to Peri, stating that Cleo must be back from Bali, speculating that she was probably picking up her belongings from her locker, but this theory leaves Peri alarmed.
Determined to get answers, Peri speaks to Theresa (Jorgie Porter), asking if she’s heard from her, with Theresa responding by saying that Cleo is having the time of her life in Bail.
Peri’s interest is piqued.
Abe, noticing Peri’s strange behaviour, confides in Cleo, who responds by dishing out some advice on how to deal with the situation – stating that she’s only doing so because she knows his engagement to Peri isn’t real.
She explains that he must get Peri excited about the wedding and keep the pretence going, adding that – when the time comes – she herself will be the real bride.
Peri, meanwhile, confides in Marie (Rita Simons), telling her that Cleo is back in the village. Marie isn’t concerned and simply reassures Peri by telling her that Abe adores her.
Marie subsequently informs the family of Cleo’s alleged return. Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed), however, is left suspicious, with Abe desperately trying to shut him down.
But is Abe on borrowed time? Will Joel get to the truth and save Cleo?
That remains to be seen but one person who isn’t too keen on Joel’s interest in Cleo’s whereabouts is Leela (Kirsty-Leigh Porter), who tells him to stop worrying about his ex.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
