Cowering underneath a table in the dark, Leah is paralysed with fear.
A few hours have passed since she was attacked in the Diner by a hooded figure, who robbed the cash register and fled the scene.
Yet it appears her trauma may only just be beginning…
In recent episodes of Home And Away, Leah (Ada Nicodemou), who has barely begun her recovery after being held captive in the woods by a stalker, found herself the victim of another assault.
Elsewhere, the Summer Bay locals have gathered at Salt to hear Evan (Cameron Daddo) perform.
As time ticks on, Justin (James Stewart) begins to worry about Leah’s whereabouts.
Knowing she left her phone at the Diner, he pops out to locate her – and finds his terrified girlfriend on the floor.
Leah is in shock after the traumatic attack.
(Channel Seven)Justin calls the police, who arrive to question Leah, but she remains in shock.
Justin fears her resurfaced trauma may push her to do something rash and asks Roo (Georgie Parker) to help bring her home.
That night, the couple sleep in separate rooms once again.
Will their relationship survive?
Will Justin and Leah last after this new set back?
(Channel Seven)“Justin is very worried for Leah, both for her mental health and for her ongoing safety,” Ada, 43, tells TV WEEK.
“Neither will sleep easily until the intruder is caught.”
The next day, Leah and Justin return to the Diner, where police have begun their investigation.
Colby (Tim Franklin) dusts for fingerprints and asks customers to submit their own. When Gemma (Bree Peters) declines, however, he’s suspicious.
He asks Leah if it’s possible she might actually know the intruder, but her memory is hazy.
“Leah didn’t get a good look at their face – it all happened so quickly,” Ada explains.
“It’s left to Colby to identify the intruder.”
Outside, Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) overhears Leah giving a description of the intruder to police and suspects, given his family’s imperfect history with the law, that the Paratas will find themselves being questioned.
At home, he relays what he heard to Tane (Ethan Browne), Gemma and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo).
To his concern, Nikau and Tane share a worried glance, before denying they know anything about the crime.
But is that really true?
Will they get to the bottom of Leah’s attack?
(Channel Seven)