#mandy dingle

DAILYEMMERDALE GIF EVENT | APRIL 2026 THEME: FAMILY

Written for the Forgot My Invitation event run by @robrondale and @jackiemerrick

My prompts were: big night out, "you can't carry on like this", Mandy Dingle.

“Robert?”

He blinked as he was pulled from his thoughts. Mandy was looking at him through the mirror, one eyebrow raised as she held the scissors in mid-air. It took him a second to realise that she had been talking to him.

“You’re quiet today.” Mandy said, her voice soft with concern. “Are you okay, love?”

“What? Yeah, I’m fine,” Robert replied, the words flat and unconvincing.

“Are you depressed because our Aaron is leaving?” Mandy was never known for her subtlety.

“I’m not depressed,” Robert insisted, dragging a hand over his face. “I mean… I’m not happy about it, but I’m not going to jump off a bridge or anything.”

“Why don’t we have a night out?” Victoria suggested brightly. “You haven’t left the village since you got out of prison. Having a few drinks and a boogie will do you good.”

Kerry turned in her chair, seizing on the idea. “I’m up for a night out,” she said, lifting her hands and admiring her freshly painted nails. “Show these bad boys off.”

“Do you remember how much fun it was the last time we all went out?” Victoria added.

“Yeah, it was great—until Kerry and Priya got us barred,” Vanessa said dryly.

“Oi, worth it,” Kerry shot back, before turning to Robert. “Remember you pulled that fit Irish bloke? The chef?” she grinned.

Robert’s expression flickered. He remembered how the night had ended. With Aaron’s voice thick with emotion, pleading, please Robert, will you come home with me? How he had fallen asleep in Aaron’s arms. Where he belonged.

“Yeah… why not,” Robert said at last, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Anything to help him stop thinking about Aaron and his new life with John.