Has Maya left Emmerdale for good after shock disappearance?
The net is closing in on Jacob's abuser
Manipulative Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein) mysteriously vanished from Emmerdale on Wednesday 15th May, leaving groomed schoolboy lover Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) fearing his abuser had abandoned him as they planned to run away together - and viewers wondering what has happened to the villainous villager.
Jacob and Maya have been hiding out in a hotel since their scandalously inappropriate affair was exposed, and after the teenager secretly contacted dad David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) and agreed to meet him it looked hopeful Miss Stepney's spell was starting to break. However, vengeful Maya lashed out upon discovering Jacob had been in touch with his father and the brainwashed boy smashed his phone, promising to leave his old life behind for her.
- Maya arrested for grooming Jacob in Emmerdale after final showdown with David
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While hopeful David waited for his son at their arranged rendezvous, Jacob nipped out of his hotel room to get supplies and wavered as he saw a bus bound for Emmerdale - had he finally realised the true nature of his twisted relationship with Maya and decided to escape?
Eventually Jacob returned to the hotel, as deflated David realised he was a no-show, but a twist came when Maya was nowhere to be seen. Jacob panicked at her sudden disappearance - had she had a change of heart and left him? Or is this yet another mind game from the predatory teacher?
When does Maya get arrested for abusing Jacob?
The controversial grooming plot comes to a dramatic head on Tuesday 21st May, by which time David has hacked into his son's social media and lured Maya into a trap, sending her a message posing as Jacob asking to meet her at the cricket pavilion. Does this mean Jacob reluctantly returns home after Maya goes missing this evening?
However the finer details of the plot play out, tricked Maya finally ends up arrested as she confronts David, who demands an explanation for her sick behaviour before she's handcuffed and led away in a police car.
Wolfenden promises Maya's arrest is not the end of the story, as damaged Jacob clings to his obsession with Maya believing they were genuinely in love. “In Jacob's eyes, he thinks David has ruined his life and stopped him and Maya being together. I don’t know if he will ever forgive David for this.”
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