Coronation Street has hinted that Lauren Bolton may be harbouring another significant secret, following a revealing clue on the ITV soap. The young character, played by Cait Fitton, recently returned to the cobbles after being missing for several months.
It was disclosed that the vile solicitor Joel Deering (Calum Lill) was responsible for her disappearance. This week, Joel's horrific crimes were finally brought to light.
Joel forced himself into Lauren's life last year, initially assisting her with bills before manipulating her into a sexual relationship.
Following a heated argument in which Lauren mentioned his fiancee Dee-Dee Bailey's (Channique Sterling-Brown) name, he brutally attacked her and left her for dead. Meanwhile, corrupt police officer Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) helped Joel remain hidden by planting Lauren's DNA in Nathan Curtis' (Christopher Harper) van, implicating him in Lauren's disappearance.
Viewers will remember that Nathan previously groomed and abused Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), leading Bethany to believe he was also behind Lauren's disappearance. However, upon her return, Lauren revealed to Joel that she was carrying his child, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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In a twisted turn of events, Joel coerced Lauren into lying and claiming it was Nathan who had abused her, not him. In a desperate attempt to kill the baby, Joel tried to murder her by drugging her.
His appalling plan failed as she went into labour prematurely and the baby survived.
Despite Joel believing he had cleverly evaded the consequences of his actions, the truth surfaced this week. Yet in a jaw-dropping development, Joel pre-empted the authorities and deceitfully claimed that Lauren had illicitly obtained abortion pills to attempt an escape from her pregnancy.
However, not all is lost for Lauren as Dee-Dee has joined forces with her to pursue justice against Joel. Enthusiastic viewers are now buzzing with the suspicion that Lauren is concealing yet another secret after a particularly revealing moment.
Corrie: Lauren and Joel shout at each other in the police station
On the episode aired on Wednesday (August 21), Bethany confronted Lauren at the hospital, angry about Lauren changing her story and for first blaming Nathan for her absence and now pointing the finger at Joel.
Lauren staunchly denied knowing Nathan, however, Bethany observed: "I think you know a lot more than you're letting on."
This shady behaviour did not go unnoticed by viewers who are convinced that Lauren's evasive look signals hidden truths waiting to be uncovered.
On a Coronation Street Facebook fan group, speculation runs rampant, with one fan theorising: "Still not fully trusting Lauren she's hiding something. I'm sure of it."
Echoing the sentiment, another replies: "I actually thought exactly the same thing tonight she looked very shifty. But she's told so many lies it's hard to believe anything she says really."
A third suggested: "Going by the look on her face as Bethany, or was it Daniel, walked away, I think you are so right there, seems there's more shocking secrets to come out still."
Someone else went on: "Def still something to come," alongside another comment that reads: "Yes and shifty when asked about Nathan."
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX