Emmerdale’s Kev rejects Nicola and it’s clear they’re both heartbroken

Kev Barton and Nicola King are over before they’ve even begun (Picture: ITV)

The Emmerdale couple we didn’t even know we needed or wanted is done before it’s even started, and we’re a little bit heartbroken.

If there’s one good thing to come out of Jimmy King’s (Nick Miles) untimely death (RIP), it’s the beautiful friendship that’s blossomed between Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) and Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler).

The rivals-turned-besties have grown close as Kev has provided unparalleled support to his pal. He’s proven himself to be the goodest of eggs through her grief and her confusion at the extra pain Sadie (Patsy Kensit) caused.

There was a moment where Nicola misread the signals and nearly ruined everything by leaning in for a kiss but they made it past that and ended up sleeping together – Kev on the sofa, Nicola on the floor, getting her first night’s sleep since Jimmy died being soothed to sleep Kev’s snoring.

They’re a beautiful couple and there seems to be a little frisson between them, but neither is ready to admit to it.

Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) has spotted it, and she tells Nicola she thinks Kev has feelings for her. Nicola baulks at the idea, but Kev is over telling Lewis (Bradley Riches) that it’s true – he feels a spark.

Lewis is less than thrilled to hear this – Nicola is grieving her dead husband. Plus it would just be way too complicated for his dad to be dating his best friend.

Lewis Barton isn’t sure about Kev and Nicola’s relationship (Picture: ITV)

So, before we all get our hopes up, this romance might be dead before it gets off the ground – not least because Kev gets some devastating news that is set to rip them apart.

Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) reluctantly agrees to give Kev a go in the kitchen of his new business venture cooking steaks.

Turns out, Kev doesn’t just make a lemon drizzle good enough to make Claudette’s toes curl, he’s also impressive with a slab of beef. He earns himself a job in the Smokehouse, Robert’s name for the new place. Aaron (Danny Miller) isn’t thrilled, but what does he know?

This means Kev has bad news to dish out to Nicola – he’s leaving the café. Nicola offers a final cup of tea to say farewell, but a brutal response, Kev says no. Is that the end of Kev and Nicola?

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