Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Kammy Hadiq (Navin Chowdhry) were off to a bumpy start on Emmerdale, with their first “practice” date ending in disaster as Belle stormed off. The tensions between the mechanic and event planner continued in the August 14 episode, where an innocent mix-up—thanks to Nicola Wheeler—made things even more awkward. When Nicola used Belle’s dating profile to swipe right on Kammy, it set off an uncomfortable series of events that culminated in Belle telling Kammy she wasn’t interested.

The pair’s slow-burn romance seemed full of potential, but awkwardness lingered in their every interaction. Belle’s reluctance to embrace the idea of dating again, following her painful past with Tom King, compounded the tension. Kammy’s attempts to connect with her, though genuine, only seemed to drive her further away.

Kammy’s Misguided Attempt: A Joke That Cuts Too Deep

In a subsequent scene at the garage, Lydia (Karen Blick) picked up on the tension between Belle and Kammy, questioning if there was some deeper history between the two. Belle, as it turns out, had some concerns of her own. She admitted that her brother, Cain (Jeff Hordley), had warned Kammy off, which added to the awkwardness of their encounters.

Despite Belle’s reservations, Lydia tried to push her toward opening up to Kammy, even teasing her about creating a dating app profile. But Belle, ever protective of her independence, shot down the idea, insisting she wasn’t ready to jump into a relationship. Her stance on remaining single seemed firm, but the truth was more complex—her painful divorce and history with Tom were still haunting her.

Things took another turn when Belle ran into Kammy again, this time at the garage, where he was trying to take a selfie with an upside-down kayak. The interaction was filled with playful banter as Belle agreed to take the photo for him. Kammy, clearly smitten, then asked Belle to join him for pizza as a thank-you gesture.

While the evening started off well, the vibe quickly soured. Kammy, trying to ease the tension, joked about Belle’s choice of pizza toppings—chili and brown sauce—calling her “proper mental.” But his insensitive comments escalated when he made a cruel remark about her mental health, asking if she’d “forgotten to take her meds.”

Belle’s Pain Resurfaces: A Triggering Moment

For Belle, Kammy’s jokes weren’t funny—they were triggering. Having been through an abusive relationship with Tom King, Belle has been deeply affected by comments about her mental health. His lack of awareness about her struggles only deepened her discomfort, and she reacted with a coldness that left Kammy confused and regretful.

When Kammy tried to salvage the situation by suggesting it was just a “practice date,” Belle shot him down, stating firmly, “It’s not a date. It was never a date.” Her hurt was palpable, and she stormed out of the restaurant, her feelings of rejection and vulnerability overpowering her.

Later, Belle confided in Lydia, revealing how badly Kammy’s words had hurt her. She admitted that, despite her initial reservations, she had started to like him. But Kammy’s thoughtless comments triggered old wounds, and her guard went back up. “I’m triggered by everything,” Belle confessed, acknowledging how her past trauma shaped her current responses to relationships.

Will Kammy Apologize? Can Belle Move On?

Belle’s emotional reaction was a stark reminder of the pain she’s still carrying from her abusive past. While Kammy’s behavior was clueless rather than malicious, the damage was done. He now has a lot of work to do if he hopes to earn Belle’s trust and eventually turn their friendship into something more. But will he be able to apologize for his insensitive remarks and show Belle he truly understands her struggles?

As Belle grapples with her feelings, it’s clear that her journey toward healing and opening up to love again will be a slow one. The question remains: Can Kammy prove he’s more than just a well-meaning but awkward suitor? And will Belle be able to move past her pain to give him a real chance?

What’s Next for Belle and Kammy?

While Belle’s healing journey continues, Kammy will have to work hard to redeem himself and prove that he’s not the oblivious man he appeared to be. Will this painful moment mark the end of their potential romance, or will it be the beginning of a deeper understanding between them? Only time will tell as Emmerdale delves further into Belle’s emotional struggles and her evolving relationship with Kammy.