Emmerdale‘s Lewis Barton takes on even more responsibility at the café next week, when he creates an exciting new menu.

Since his arrival, the youngest Barton brother has caused quite a stir in the village, as well as forging an unlikely friendship with Nicola King and proving popular with her café’s customers.

After saving the overwhelmed café owner during a busy time a few days earlier, will Lewis now impress her with his new ideas?

“Lewis is not only super popular with viewers, but he’s also much loved in the village,” our Emmerdale source explains.

“His bubbly personality wins everyone over, and having gone to uni in Leeds, he’s got bags of menu ideas to bring a little bit of the city to the village.”

With the menu a big hit, and the villagers coming to give it a go in droves, Nicola is delighted to see the new lease of life that Lewis has brought to the place.

However, her joy soon sours when she remembers that Brenda Walker still owns half of the business, so is benefiting financially despite not doing any work.

“Brenda swanned off on a cruise and left Nicola in the lurch, so no wonder she’s fuming,” our insider adds. “Nicola thinks it’s not fair at all that she’s still cashing in.”

The long-running character’s exit from the show aired in April, as Lesley Dunlop bowed out from Emmerdale after 17 years.

Brenda initially promised that she’d be back after three months away, but she’s since been in touch with her ex-partner Eric Pollard to confirm that she won’t be returning.

Soon, a new development absolutely blindsides Nicola – but what could it be, and will it help or hinder her?