Emmerdale's Carly Hope plans a secret getaway from the village next week after a life-or-death drama for Marlon Dingle's young daughter April.
A worrying situation unfolds as Marlon's birthday arrives, with April playing a key role in putting the celebrations together.
When April (Amelia Flanagan) chokes violently on a sweet while helping with the food, Carly is the only person in the room with her and she completely freezes.
With Carly standing back and doing absolutely nothing to help, it's left to Marlon (Mark Charnock) to rush inside and save April before it's too late. But why has Carly reacted so strangely?
Gemma Atkinson, who plays Carly, revealed: "Carly is in the kitchen with April when it happens, but she doesn't react. She freezes with fear and she doesn't help April at all. April is really seriously choking and it's life-threatening.
"Marlon, Brenda and Bob then run in and they're wondering what the fuss is all about. They see April choking and they wonder why Carly is not doing anything.
"Luckily Marlon comes to her rescue, but then the whole room turns and looks at Carly. It's actually Bob who says: 'Couldn't you see she was choking?'
"But I think it's because deep down, Carly hasn't dealt with the guilt of losing her own son Billy. She still blames herself for Billy's cot death. She's convinced that she did something wrong and that she's not cut out to be a mother.
"Now that Carly has failed in helping April, it's a repeated pattern. It subconsciously brings all these memories back that her son died and she couldn't do anything about it.
"This time she could have helped April but she didn't. I think Carly could do with a good therapy session, as she's dealing with a lot of grief but it's all internal and she hasn't let those feelings out."
April and Marlon both struggle to forgive Carly after the upsetting incident, which leaves her wondering whether she really fits into their family life now.
Instead of sticking around to face the music, Carly ultimately decides to take the easy way out and plans to leave Emmerdale forever - but will Marlon realise what she's up to before she disappears for good?
Gemma added: "April is very upset with Carly and feels let down by her. Carly has said she'll always look after April, but in this case she hasn't. So April is upset and angry with Carly. She doesn't want Carly anywhere near her.
"Marlon is also in shock at first, but then he sits Carly down. She explains that it's because she was scared and she's really sorry. Deep down Marlon does believe her, but his way of telling her causes even more problems.
"Marlon says that he's just glad it ended this way. Carly just flips and says: 'What? Rather than ending like Billy did?' Carly goes on the defensive and this whole argument erupts, where she accuses him of not trusting her. She thinks April and him would be better off without her."
So will Carly really leave the Dales? We doubt it, since Gemma has recently landed a new contract with the ITV soap - but let's wait and see!
Asked whether it could be the last we see of Carly, Gemma replied: "It could well be. Obviously everyone knows she's run away from relationships previously, but on the other hand it's Emmerdale and there are twists and turns, so you'll just have to wait and see."
Digital Spy