Leela rushed to hospital in Hollyoaks as she goes into labour – and things take unexpected turn
Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) is rushed to hospital in Hollyoaks next week after her waters break unexpectedly while Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) is by her side.
The firefighter, as viewers know, was revealed to be pregnant after the Channel 4 soap’s historic time jump, which took events one year into the future.
The week in question proves tough for Leela’s as Joel (Rory-Douglas Speed) repeatedly tries to get in touch with Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), fearing that something isn’t right with her alleged comeback.
Cleo, as audiences are aware, is being held captive by abuser Abe at the flat, with her loved ones believing her to be in Bali.
But Abe’s use of her medical pass leads a number of residents to believe that she’s returned to the village – and therefore Joel is determined to get answers.
Leela is nervous ahead of her hospital induction but Joel is quick to reassure her reassure her that everything will be fine. The former priest’s attention is soon elsewhere though, as he receives a voicemail from Cleo, who tells him to leave her alone.
The voicemail in question leaves Leela furious as she orders Joel out for getting in touch with his ex.
Before she can induced, Leela’s waters break and Abe, who happens to be nearby at the time, accompanies her in the ambulance. Joel remains unaware of what has unfolded as he heads to Price Slice – where he believes he can hear Cleo singing from the window!
Is he about to find out about Cleo’s ordeal at Abe’s hands?
That remains to be seen. At the hospital, Leela’s labour is progressing and she’s panicking that something might go wrong. Joel ignores her calls as he continues to search for clues to Cleo’s whereabouts, while Abe reassures Leela that Cleo is miles away.
Leela subsequently gives birth to a baby, with a strong and healthy heartbeat. Everything is progressing normally. She just needs to reach Joel!
Joel subsequently arrives at the hospital to meet their baby – and it’s a truly touching picture to see them together with their newborn, especially after all they’ve been through.
The couple, as viewers will recall, were left absolutely devastated earlier this year – though over a year ago in the show’s fictional timeline – when unborn baby Noah passed away.
But despite the arrival of their little bundle of joy, upcoming scenes will see more upset on the cards for the pair, with Leela later seen crying – and she cannot stop.
She tells Joel that she’s simply overwhelmed – but is this the case? Or is there more to come?
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
