Emmerdale‘s Joe Tate sparks suspicion later this week when he tries to get the extended family together for an impromptu lunch. Though it seems like a harmless meal with his loved ones, could he have an ulterior motive?

Joe’s fiancée Dawn Fletcher has been struggling lately after Billy Fletcher started a romance with Gabby Thomas. Despite being happy with Joe, Dawn soon realised she had lingering feelings for her ex-husband — and Gabby’s smug behaviour only added fuel to the fire.

Things escalate this week when Dawn meddles in the new relationship in the hoping to cause some drama between the pair. But her actions make it clear that she is jealous of the pair and she’s accused of wanting Billy back.

Later, the former spouses share a surprise kiss while dealing with a co-parenting issue. They are interrupted when Joe walks in, leaving Dawn nervous about what exactly he saw…

In a newly released spoiler clip for Wednesday’s (29 July) episode, Billy and Dawn agree to put the kiss behind them, vowing not to say anything to Joe. Though the latter was behaving as normal, Dawn fears he might be “biding his time” before reacting.

When Joe enters the kitchen, he says he wants to have lunch at the Hide as a way of extending an olive branch to Gabby. He invites Billy to join them, dismissing his work-related excuses.

“Well, you’re entitled to a lunch break, aren’t you? Come on. It would mean a lot to me if you could make it,” he insists, with Billy reluctantly agreeing.

After inviting Graham Foster and Kim Tate as well, Joe asks Dawn if it was okay to include Billy in his plans, claiming the pair seemed “off” with each other. Dawn brushes off his query and makes a hasty exit — but Graham notices something shifty is going on.

“You’re up to something,” he presses Joe, with the latter simply replying: “Am I?”

What exactly is the notorious schemer planning? Will the family lunch leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouths?