Summer Bay’s Fund A Cure Fair raises more than awareness this week when two feuding couples reach boiling point. The tension even causes one pair to call it quits.
In an emotionally charged week in Home And Away, Justin (James Stewart) and Willow (Sarah Roberts) will be forced to examine their relationship, while a sexy newcomer to Summer Bay threatens to come between Brody (Jackson Heywood) and Ziggy (Sophie Dillman). Who will break up?
Ever since Justin demanded Willow choose between him and her best friend Dean, the pair have been on shaky ground. After a heated exchange, Willow chose her boyfriend, but didn’t do so easily.
Sarah reveals to TV WEEK that Justin’s ultimatum could be the tipping point.
“For Willlow, it’s not a very nice situation to be put in,” she explains. “However, I do think it helps her grow and learn to make decisions with her own interests taken into account first.”
This week, the bikie babe misses Dean more than ever. But besides having to do their community service together, the River Boy wants little to do with Willow.
“Willow loves Justin and is willing to try anything to make their relationship work,” Sarah says.
“But it creates a massive chasm in her and Dean’s relationship − he’s upset, and withdraws from their friendship the way anyone would when they’re hurting.”
On the beach, Dean and Willow complete their tasks with limited interaction. But eventually, Dean – troubled by his promise to help find Colby’s (Tim Franklin) sister – asks for her advice. Willow jumps at the chance to help, until she spots Justin in the distance and hides around a corner. Dean is furious.
“As time goes by, putting her friendship with Dean on hold becomes increasingly difficult,” Sarah says.
Her feelings of shame and anger linger as the Summer Bay fundraising event gets underway. The benefit, organised by Maggie (Kestie Morassi) is helping to raise funds for cancer sufferers – the disease she’s battled too.
“The fact it became such a huge event was surprising and overwhelming to Maggie in the best possible way,” Kestie, 40 explains.
“Everyone in the town made the event the success it was by working together. It felt good to be a part of something larger than herself and her own experience.”
As the locals pitch in at the fair stalls, the day is in full swing. But Willow can’t get into the spirit, and after heeding Ziggy’s advice to “take charge”, she charges into Salt looking for Justin.
In front of restaurant patrons, she tells Justin she won’t cut Dean out of her life − and doesn’t need his permission to have friends. Ouch!
“The ramifications of her choice are causing other feelings to bubble to the surface, which may affect her relationship with Justin,” Sarah says.
Later, Justin finds Willow to apologise, yet adds that he fears they can’t get past their issues.
Willow tearfully agrees and wonders if they’re better off apart.
Is this goodbye?
After witnessing Justin and Willow’s argument at Salt, Brody approaches Ziggy for answers. But his wife won’t apologise for helping a friend.
As they continue to bicker, fans will notice a mysterious woman watching nearby. The red-headed beauty appears to relish their misery. Who is she?
As the fundraising event continues on the beach, Brody and Justin perform a song together in Maggie’s honour. Ziggy watches gleefully from the crowd – and so does the woman.
Afterward, Ziggy is thrilled with her husband’s performance, but refuses to compliment Justin on his effort, which causes another row with Brody.
Fed up, the chef storms off and runs into the mysterious woman, who introduces herself as Simone (Emily Eskell).
“Simone comes to Summer Bay because she hears what an amazing chef Brody is,” Emily says.
Coincidentally, she has just won the silent auction, the prize being a cooking lesson − with Brody.
“She can’t wait to begin working with him,” Emily says. “She has sort of a ‘career crush’ on Brody.”
The next day, Ziggy tries to mend fences by visiting Brody at Salt. Instead, she’s greeted by Simone, who has arrived for her cooking lesson.
As Ziggy watches the pair at work in the kitchen, she’s stunned as Simone brazenly flirts with her husband.
Fuming, Ziggy storms out. Nothing is going right for these two. By the end of the week, fans are left to wonder if this marriage is all but over…link text
Home and Away airs Monday to Thursday, 7:30pm, on Channel Seven.