In an upcoming Emmerdale episode that hasn’t aired yet on ITV1 but is available on ITVX, Cain Dingle finds himself spiraling as he attempts to process the painful disappearance of his son, Nate Robinson. The emotional turmoil reaches new heights as Cain begins to realize that the situation may be far more tragic than he initially believed.

Just days ago, Cain was informed by Tracy Shankley that Nate had completely cut off communication—not just from her, but also from their young daughter, Frankie. The sudden and complete silence was deeply out of character for Nate, who, despite his flaws, always made an effort to be there for his child. This disconnect left Tracy distraught and desperate for answers, which prompted Cain to step in.

He initially made plans to head to Shetland, the place where everyone believed Nate had gone to escape the chaos of his life in the Dales. But unknown to Cain, this plan set off a dangerous chain reaction. John Sugden, the man responsible for Nate’s death, got wind of Cain’s intentions. In an effort to preserve his dark secret, John acted quickly to mislead everyone and cover his tracks.

The first sign that something was deeply wrong came when a man arrived at Tracy’s home to collect all of Nate’s belongings. The gesture was framed as a final break—Nate’s symbolic way of saying he no longer wanted anything to do with his family. Unbeknownst to them, however, this was part of John Sugden’s plan to convince everyone that Nate had moved on, erasing any suspicion about his sudden and permanent disappearance.

As the day wore on, Cain struggled to understand what was happening. The idea that Nate would abandon his daughter without so much as a goodbye simply didn’t sit right with him. Still, with nothing but silence and a few belongings left behind, he was forced to entertain the possibility that Nate had indeed chosen to start over somewhere far away.

At the garage, Cain received a gentle but firm reminder from Moira—his loyal and long-suffering wife—that life continued, and so did his responsibilities. She pointed out that he still had two sons, Kyle and Isaac, who adored him and needed his presence more than ever. Encouraged by her words, Cain decided to spend time with them and joined Moira and the boys for a kickabout on the field.

Later, in a rare moment of vulnerability, Cain apologized to Moira for being distant and difficult. She, understanding the emotional toll this mystery was taking on him, reassured him that he was doing his best. She also reminded him that Nate might still return one day, and until that happened, Cain should focus on being a good father to the children still in his life.

The conversation helped shift something inside Cain. He began to let go of the guilt and self-recrimination, at least for a moment, and took a step toward reconnecting with Kyle. He apologized to his son for being emotionally unavailable and vowed to try harder to be the father he deserved.

What Cain doesn’t know, however, is the true and horrifying reality: Nate isn’t off starting a new life in Shetland—he’s dead. His body lies undiscovered at the bottom of a lake, the result of a violent act committed by John Sugden. The elaborate cover-up has worked so far, but as in all soap operas, secrets don’t stay buried forever.

This storyline is setting the stage for an explosive future arc in Emmerdale. When the truth about Nate’s fate finally comes out—and it inevitably will—Cain is likely to face a storm of grief, rage, and the need for vengeance. The emotional groundwork laid in this episode, showing Cain beginning to accept Nate’s absence, will only amplify the shock and heartbreak when the truth is revealed.

In the meantime, Moira’s support and the loving presence of Kyle and Isaac may be the only things keeping Cain anchored. But even they might not be enough when the horrifying reality crashes down around them. As viewers, we are left with a question that will haunt future episodes: how long can a killer keep a secret in a village like Emmerdale?