Tom was warned by his lawyer to retrieve the tablet at all costs because it contains incriminating hidden camera footage from Dale Head that could prove Belle’s abuse allegations.

In Tuesday’s (October 8) episode, Tom had a few tense encounters with Carl because the boy had stayed home from school for the day.

Tom could sense that Carl was now nervous being around him since he’d threatened to report the boy to the police for “stealing” his tablet. Tom sidled up alongside Carl to gauge the situation.

“It feels like we’re not mates anymore,” Tom told the boy.

A frightened Carl immediately apologised for upsetting Tom, though he admitted Tom had scared him during their confrontation over the tablet.

Tom then revealed he’d bought Carl a monster truck toy at the store, but said he’d only give it to him if they could put “that business with the tablet” behind them for good.

“Repeat after me, ‘Tablet? What tablet?’” he ordered Carl to say. Carl reluctantly complied, leaving Tom smugly satisfied.

Last week, Belle Dingle was told by police that she’d need more concrete proof of abuse for charges to be brought against Tom. All the evidence she needs is on Tom’s tablet… but is it now lost forever?.