Tom shaken to the core in Hollyoaks as evil Clare makes the most unexpected of moves

Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) gets the shock of his life in Hollyoaks next week when Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) strikes up an unexpected friendship with his sworn nemesis Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix).

Clare, as viewers know, used to torment Tom as a child and the two have a long-standing rivalry which was thought to have ended over a decade ago when Clare as officially declared dead.

But that all changed when a shock twist earlier this year confirmed that Clare is still alive and not only that but, alongside husband Alistair Banks (Drew Cain), she’d been overseeing a child exploitation operation.

With Alistair having been killed, Clare found herself back in the village she used to call home, much to the shock of sister Grace Black (Tamara Wall), who – much like the rest of us – believed her to be dead.

Tom, meanwhile, also staged an unexpected return earlier this year when it was confirmed that he was in prison due to a dodgy investment scheme gone wrong.

Peri was taken aback to learn of her ex’s stint behind bars and thus paid him a visit – and it didn’t take long before old feelings resurfaced.

Tom was released from jail earlier this month and made a beeline for the village as he and Peri struggled to resist the chemistry between them.

But that wasn’t the only reunion in store for our Tom as he also crossed paths with nemesis Clare. It was a showdown over a decade in the making and one that was every bit worth the wait.

Tom was taken aback to learn that Clare had yet again managed to evade justice, with all the evidence against her in the trafficking operation having gone up in smoke.

Not willing to dwell on his enemy amid his newfound freedom, however, he instead turns his attention to Peri, who is in the middle of a busy hospital shift in upcoming scenes.

Peri is questioning everything and, as a result, she surprises Tom with a proposition that he cannot refuse, which leads to sparks flying for the former flames as they rekindle their romance.

But sadly their happiness is short-lived.

Clare turns her attention to Peri and proceeds to flatter her. Tom soon discovers that Peri has been spending time with Clare and he is shaken to the core.

Peri urges Clare to apologise to Tom for what she’s done but the whole situation baffles Tom, who is horrified by what has unfolded. Feeling very strongly, Tom issues Peri with an ultimatum – and their relationship soon collapses.

Refusing to let Clare win, Tom stands up to her – bravely warning her off. The question is: will he be able to keep Peri safe from the legendary schemer? And just what is Clare up to?

Elsewhere in the village…

It’s not just Tom that Clare clashes with during the week in question as Froggy (John Middleton) is forced to break up an actual fist fight between her and Grace.

Froggy urges Clare to stop her vendetta with the teens but she refuses, determined to avenge her husband and punish those who separated her from Tori.

Elsewhere, the tension continues between Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) and Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) as they’re both at loggerheads. The question is: just where can they possibly go from here?

Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), meanwhile, visits Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed), who is being transferred. Cleo reckons it’s for the best but Joel asks her to try and get Leela (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) to come and say goodbye to him.

Leela, however, can’t face it.

And Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) suggests holding a vigil for the families of the missing victims of the serial killer.

He makes a moving speech while Prince (Malique Thompson-Dwyer) mourns Dilly Harcourt (Emma Johnsey-Smith).

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

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