John has a warning for Irene in Home and Away

This week in Summer Bay…

MONDAY

It’s a Lyrik band meeting for the history books. Kirby has been exposed as secretly meeting with esteemed solo-artist manager, Forrest Duke. He’s made a generous offer, trying to poach her for a solo career. The other band members are in total shock. When was she going to tell them? How could this have eventuated? Kirby is upfront. She’s been struggling for a while now. In truth, she isn’t happy. But the barrage of questions only causes more anxiety, and Kirby refuses to sit there and take it. Instead, she heads for a surf, balancing on the fence of this huge life decision. Justin commends her for the hard-earned opportunity. Remi questions if it’s worth the risk? But Kirby says they’ve been taking risks their whole lives. The one thing she cannot live with, is regret.

Tane, Cash and Felicity are actioning plans to help ensure the safety of women in Summer Bay. Tane’s registering as a self-defence instructor, and Felicity initiates a codeword system at Salt for anyone who doesn’t feel safe. It feels good to be making progress and they take to the surf club to hand out flyers, are met with a frustrating lack of interest. Felicity jumps on a table, sharing loudly that she was sexually assaulted. People are finally taking notice, but she’s suddenly hit hard with a wave of emotions. Felicity abandons her flyers, feeling exposed.

Alf had his hearing tested and is awaiting the results. Bree and Marilyn are supportive of his health journey, but Alf is not impressed when Bree reinforces that it’s very likely he will need to be fitted with hearing aids. This is not a welcome realisation for Alf, who doesn’t want any contraptions shoved onto his ears. Marilyn reassures Bree that Mr Stewart will come around to the idea… eventually.

TUESDAY

Tane catches up to Felicity on the beach, commending her for bravery in making herself publicly vulnerable for the cause of women’s safety. He affirms what she’s been through took guts, and it worked. People are taking the flyers. Spirited, the two take their ideas to Mackenzie who approves their further plans to spread the word, including to the team at Salt.

The growing divide continues for Lyrik. While Theo stews, feeling responsible for Kirby’s decision to go solo, Remi’s feeble attempts to get her to stay are overshadowed by a delivery of flowers, goodies, and sample artwork from Forrest, tempting Kirby to take up his offer. Justin, Theo and Remi are out of ideas. They may need to face the very real possibility that she will quit the band.

Kirby’s solo career offer is out of the bag, and although the other band members are up in arms, Mackenzie has her back. She reassures Kirby that this is a big deal, and she earned it. Theo too, reaches out with kindness and perspective, suggesting Lyrik could possibly be at the start of something great, but that means nothing if Kirby is not happy. Remi initiates a plan to go old school and remind Kirby of their humble beginnings, but it’s too little, too late. Kirby has made up her mind. She is going solo.

Bree and Marilyn navigate Alf’s specialist appointments and subdue his opposition toward further tests. He is convinced once you start with all this nonsense it’s never going to end, but Bree and Marilyn remain determined to get him over the line. Soon enough, Alf has a handful of pamphlets about different hearing aids, and a cup of tea.

WEDNESDAY

Enter Harper, a social worker on extended holiday, looking for a room somewhere with a nice beach and friendly locals, and she soon spots the advertisement for Irene’s room for rent. Harper and Irene are fast friends, but John is sceptical, a strong feeling in his gut that there’s something untrustworthy about Harper. Irene catching him out snooping, enforces there’s a big difference between caring and interfering. When Irene gives Harper the green light and the keys to the house, it’s shaping up to be a great fit. But behind closed doors, Harper immediately starts acting suspicious. Luckily, she is under the surveillance of a very dedicated neighbourhood watch.

Alf explains to Justin he’s glad he finally tackled his hearing issue front on, despite now having too many choices for hearing aids. He’s also worried about getting his results in time to go and visit Roo. Luckily Doctor Bree sprinkles some magic and gets his next appointment fast-tracked, if he can get to the hospital right away.

Justin is defeated after Kirby left the band. But Leah is cup-half-full. It doesn’t mean Lyrik needs to end. If anything, they need their manager to step up and guide them. And she’s right. Justin meets with Remi and Eden, and he is ready to keep the ball rolling. They can still do the interviews. They can still play as a trio. But Eden sees no point. She’s done talking, and lashes out, starting with tossing Kirby’s clothes into the street. It takes a lot to calm her down, and eventually Eden and Remi consider a path forward. They can re-arrange the music, and they’ll cover the interviews. They just have to get around any mention of Kirby having left band.

Alf is waiting for test results on his health

THURSDAY

Mali’s cleared to go back in the surf, and Xander watches enthusiastically as Mali carves it up. The king of the breakers is back! Mali’s quick to fire up the surfing lessons again, but he is preoccupied by Rose’s distance. She seems to be avoiding his calls. Maybe something happened between her and his mother?

Cash and Rose grab coffees after a long night shift, but Rose can’t relax. Her mind is clearly stuck on something. She explains to Cash, she wants to know about her biological father. Meeting Mali’s mother and observing how their family and culture is woven into who they are has inspired her to investigate her own heritage. Unwelcome to ask more from her mother, she goes trawling online instead through her mother’s history. When Xander uncovers Rose’s objective, he feels betrayed. She’s going against their mother’s wishes. And against the memory of the man they both called Dad. But Rose explains her perspective. Xander had a dad. She had a huge question mark hanging over her head.

Convinced she is not to be trusted after observing her apprehension around police officers, John won’t let up about Irene’s new houseguest, Harper. But Irene feels John is being unreasonable. He needs to let it go. Cash stops by the coffee cart and John is ready for a moment of truth, expecting Harper to turn tail from the uniformed officer. However, much to John’s dismay, Cash welcomes her with open arms. It turns out they are old colleagues and friends. Irene gleefully serves John some humble pie. But in private, Harper reveals her truth to Cash. She has come to Summer Bay to find him. And she needs a big favour.

FRIDAY

Mali’s back teaching in the surf and feeling amazing. Mackenzie’s equally as stoked, officially retired as his substitute. Mali asks her for one more favour, can she help him organise a little something special to treat Rose? A bottle of wine and a meal for two in a prime spot on the Salt balcony.

Rose tries to explain to Xander her inherent need to learn about her heritage. She means no ill will toward their parents, but this is something she has to do. But Xander doesn’t get it. She leaves to see Mali at Salt but Xander isn’t finished. He insists Rose tell their mother what she’s doing, or Xander will. Rose leaves for the beach as quickly as she can, and Mali catches up to her. She finally explains her search to find her father and Mali is highly supportive. He will be right there with her. And sure enough, Rose stumbles across an old drama group photo containing a man who could be her dad.

Cash brings Harper to the privacy of his place so that she can elaborate on the favour she needs. Harper considers him to be the one person who can help her. Cash has always been willing to push harder to get to the truth. And she needs that more than ever. Her sister, Dana, is on the run. The police found drugs in Dana’s apartment, and her boyfriend threw her under the bus. Now there’s a warrant out for her arrest and Dana’s lost everything. Harper needs Cash to do whatever he can to prove Dana’s innocence, but Cash is not so quick to blur the lines. It takes persuasion and time, but he might be willing to help, if she promises to tell him everything she knows. From the very beginning.

Irene gloats over John being proven wrong. His accusations of Harper being untrustworthy well and truly in the past, Irene and Harper enjoy their dinner and their growing friendship. Appreciating Irene’s hospitality, Harper insists on packing up the leftovers and dishes. But when Irene’s gone to bed, the spare food is brought into Harper’s room. The bedroom window is open, and the fugitive Dana climbs through.

Home and Away airs 1:45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6:30pm on 5STAR and the series also streams on My5.