Since his return from Australia, Arthur has made it clear he’s grown up a lot. During tonight’s episode of the ITV soap though, he inadvertently set himself up for a spectacular fall due to finding a new local easy on the eye.
Victoria Sugden’s (Isabel Hodgins) brother John (Oliver Farnworth) doesn’t say a lot. When he’s not complaining about Vic’s desperation to build a relationship with him or moaning about other residents in the village, John keeps himself to himself – and that’s just how he likes it.
Before school, Arthur and friend April (Amelia Flanagan) were chatting about his recent trip to Oz. Arthur reckoned he left the country with broken hearts behind him, and then he spotted John in the distance.
To show April how mature he is, Arthur approached John and tried to talk to him. He attempted to be charming and handed John a spanner that he dropped. At first, John didn’t give Arthur the time of day, but he managed a friendly smile just as the teen left.
And that’s all Arthur needed for his hopes to spiral.
Convinced he’s in with a shot, Arthur walked away with April feeling very proud of himself. As far as he was concerned, they had something special going on – all because he had managed to make the grumpy member of the village smile.
A while later, Arthur approached John and tried to spark up a conversation about his van. John – once again – wasn’t in the mood to chat, but then felt bad and told Arthur they could speak tomorrow
Coming up, under the impression her mate is playing in the big leagues now, April will believe Arthur when he tells her that he’s even had sex with John.
While this could have been somewhat of an innocent bravado lie between friends, Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) overhears and is apoplectic at hearing that a grown man has taken advantage of her teen son (even though he hasn’t).
A horrified Arthur runs after her, but it’s too late – Laurel accuses John of sleeping with a teenager in front of the pub.
Mortified John denies the accusations – because they are not at all true and pretty damaging – but will his protestations be enough?
