I need help

“Please, I need your help. My name’s Bethany Platt and I need you to call the police.” A gasp of relief could be heard across the nation, I’m sure, on Wednesday when Bethany uttered these words. She is at a roadway service centre, away from Nathan for a moment .

What would happen? The woman she asked looked shocked. Would she gather in her kids like a mother hen pulling her chicks under her feathers and say ‘get away you freak’? Would Nathan see and pull Bethany back to the car? Or would Bethany chicken out and pretend, haha, just a joke.

But no, next episode, Bethany was sitting in the little family circle. Nathan did see and did come rushing in to get her. But police rushed in right behind him. It was so good to see them hauling him out. He showed his true nature too, by threatening Bethany and the woman who helped her.

The story is far from over. Neil the nasty cop is still involved and is even more threatening than Nathan is. Because, as a “respected” police officer, he has the power and the authority. Bethany wants Nathan and all the men nailed. Neil doesn’t care if Nathan goes down for it, but he threatened Bethany and her family, especially baby Harry, if she implicates him in any way at all. Hard balancing act for Bethany to do.

Earlier, driving on the motorway to escape to Belgium, Nathan lost it when Bethany told him she didn’t have her passport. He frightened and confused her when he said he was not coming with her. But his explanation – he was breaking bail by being with her – would have worked before. Especially his assurances that he loved her and would join her as soon as he could.

Mary’s words earlier made the difference, I think. Mary told Bethany what had happened to her, and how she had tried to rationalize it. How she had tried to turn rape into romance, but then saw there was nothing romantic about it. That what Nathan did to Bethany was also rape. Maybe saying that straight out was even more effective than telling Bethany her own story.

Bethany rationalized her situation at the time – it’s different with me and Nathan, etc. And she grabbed her suitcase and left. Mary was disconsolate. She hadn’t been able to save Bethany, due to Bethany’s own choice and to Nathan’s not-so-veiled threats. But, as Norris told Mary, she heard you and she will remember what you said.

Norris was right. Nathan’s anger and his sketchy plan made Mary’s words resonate. And memories of what had already happened to her in the name of Nathan’s love, maybe. Put that all together and, first chance she had, Bethany sought help.