Earlier this week, Tom demanded a secret one-on-one meeting with Belle in the hospital, or he’d tell police she attacked him with an axe. In

reality, Belle was defending herself after being locked into Wishing Well Cottage by Amelia Spencer and forced to fend off an axe-wielding Tom.

In Tuesday’s (October 1) episode, Vinny, Sam, and Lydia Dingle suggested it would be best for Belle to leave the village in case Tom told the police the truth.

Belle made an excuse to leave Wishing Well to borrow a suitcase but actually headed to the hospital for her secret meeting with Tom. Evil Tom made Belle an offer — he wouldn’t tell police she’d struck him with the axe provided she agreed to never report him for domestic violence.

“It’s time to make a deal,” he declared, before warning her: “Stop lying that I’m an abuser and you’re in the clear.”

“Okay, I’ll do what you want,” Belle eventually agreed.

Tom was left with the impression that Belle had accepted his deal, so he later told police his attackers had been two men who’d jumped him in the forest.

At the same time, Belle was at the police station with the axe to tell the police the truth. She explained that she’d been the one who attacked Tom — but she’d done it in self-defence.

“He wanted to kill me. I’m a victim of domestic abuse,” she told the officer.

Belle is still set to face more trouble in scenes airing later this week, as Tom moves to delete incriminating images that will back up Belle’s allegations.