UK Air Date: 2nd September 2016
Writer: Fiona Kelly
Director: Geoffrey Nottage
Cat No: HAAW09-013
VJ’s decision has a major impact on his relationship with Billie. Marilyn and John have a breakthrough with Jordan. Evelyn finds a positive way to use her inheritance. Alf remains firm on his position on contacting Duncan.
Extended Summary
Marilyn and John have had a sleepless night, worrying about Jordan and why he’s carrying a knife. Marilyn’s feeling bad about saying they should let him go, but unfortunately hasn’t changed her mind. Wanting to talk through things first, John and Marilyn head out to find Jordan, since he’s already left the house early that morning. The pair come to the Diner where they admit to Irene and Roo how they’re not sure they’re up to the job of helping Jordan. Irene asks if they really thought Jordan would hurt them? John admits he doesn’t, the kid’s just messed up. Irene convinces them to keep throwing love at the boy and not to give up. Spurred on by her words Marilyn and John continue their search, finding Jordan on the beach. He wants nothing to do with them, but they beg him to talk to them, telling him they want to understand. Eventually Jordan reveals his heartbreaking story – he lived in dire conditions with his dad, from living in a car to living on the streets. His dad began to steal money for food and got arrested. On his own, Jordan dropped out of school and started to steal food for himself. He only had the knife for his own protection on the streets. Marilyn and John can’t quite believe how bad a run this boy has had. They assure Jordan he’s safe with them and never needs to go hungry again.
Hannah’s life insurance money continues to weigh heavily on Evelyn’s mind. Feeling a little better after her talk with Alf she’s determined to find a cause to put it towards. Listening to Marilyn and John talk about Jordan and his life of homelessness, Evelyn has an idea. She announces to Alf and Leah she’s going to use some of the money to support the Youth Centre in Yabbie Creek, and invest the rest for her future. The Youth Centre is also doing a bunch of ‘School Sleep-outs’ to raise money and awareness for youth homelessness. So Evelyn decides she’s going to ask Zac if she can throw one at Summer Bay High. Alf and Leah are pleased she’s tackling this in such a positive way.
In a less-happy part of town, it’s been days since VJ’s heard from Billie. She’s not responding to any of his texts and it’s eating him up. A chance meeting in the Diner leads VJ to question Billie – what’s going on? All he wants is to be with her. Billie admits she wants this too, but thinks they should wait until after his HSC before they talk about moving in together again. VJ’s left feeling angry and patronised. He takes his mood out on Leah, until Alf pulls him up. VJ later apologises, and complains about how Leah and Billie keep treating him like a kid. Alf understands what VJ’s going through. He thinks VJ’s grown up a lot these past few months. But until he finishes school and turns eighteen he’s still a teenager. Alf advises him to bide his time and be patient, eighteen will come around soon enough. But VJ has other ideas. He finds Billie and tells her he’s been an idiot but it’s all in the past. He’s ready to take more responsibility for his actions. Billie’s relieved to hear it. VJ then tells her he has a surprise…
Back at the Palmer house, John is surprised when having lunch with Jordan that he’s wolfing down his meal like someone’s going to take it off him. John makes it clear Jordan Is welcome to their food whenever he likes. Jordan’s thankful but uncomfortable with things just being handed to him. When Jordan asks how he can chip in, John suggests maybe he could work at the juice bar. John and Jordan bond over a silly juice making contest in the kitchen and a proud Marilyn catches them as she comes home, leaving all three pleased things are settling down comfortably.
Alf comes across his will and can’t help but ponder the changes he’s made. It’s possible he’s beginning to soften regarding his issues with Duncan. But when he later runs into Roo, she mentions the discussions he’s had with VJ and Evelyn and how his advice has helped them. Why does he seem to have all the time in the world for other people’s kids but none for his own? She’s convinced Duncan must be weighing on Alf’s mind. Although she’s spot on, Alf flares and says he’s thought long and hard but his mind hasn’t changed. Father and daughter are left at odds again.
Meanwhile at Salt, VJ has called in Leah and Billie for this mysterious surprise. VJ also apologises to Leah for his recent behaviour. He talks about the stress he’s been under, how it’s messing with his head and how he’s also come up with a solution – quitting school. Leah sits in stunned silence as VJ outlines the reasons behind his decision. He wants to be able to provide for Billie and their baby. Billie feels sick with guilt. Fearing she’s ruined his future she pleads with him to reconsider. She turns to Leah to back her up but Leah’s tired of fighting. Although she’s not happy, Leah turns to VJ – he going to be a father soon and him, Billie and the baby are a family – she’s not in charge anymore. So this decision is up to him. VJ’s glad his mum understands, but Billie is left feeling awful. Privately she knows it’s all wrong, especially when the baby isn’t VJ’s. Although she loves him, it’s gone too far, and Billie makes a heartbreaking choice – through a tearful argument, she breaks up with VJ.