A surprise birthday party for Ryder turns into a disaster on next week’s episode of Home and Away in the UK, as the birthday boy undergoes a horrific kidnapping ordeal.
Since he showed up on his Aunt Leah’s (Ada Nicodemou) doorstep, Theo Poulos (Matt Evans) has caused quite a stir in Summer Bay, and one of the people who has been particularly irritated by Theo’s presence is Ryder Jackson (Lukas Radovich).
Theo was drawn to Ryder’s girlfriend Chloe (Sam Barrett) right once, and he used his charm to persuade her that he could be a better partner than Ryder.
Ryder didn’t pay much attention at first, but after he overslept and missed the window for his and Chloe’s lunch delivery, he began to feel threatened by Theo’s presence. Chloe’s knight in shining armor was a passing Theo, who offered to drive her in his car.
Since then, Theo has taken pleasure in teasing Ryder, who has grown increasingly irritated by his persistent presence. Ryder perceives Theo as a pest, but Theo sees their friendship as a growing bromance.
Chloe has been chastising Ryder for his disrespectful behavior around Theo—after all, it was Leah who requested Chloe to keep an eye out for Theo while he got to know the place, and Chloe and Ryder owe her for letting them use the restaurant kitchen after hours.
When Chloe told Theo she was planning a surprise birthday party for Ryder’s 21st, Theo jumped at the chance to help. When Ryder arrived and Theo and Chloe swiftly switched topics, Ryder got suspicious—what had he just interrupted?
The final preparations for the big birthday surprise are being made as we take up the action this week. Chloe enlists the help of Bella (Courtney Miller) and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo), who go to the diner to ask Irene (Lynne McGranger) for a cake.
Chloe manages to divert Ryder’s attention by pretending that a large order has just arrived and that he’ll need to go get some ingredients before meeting her at the diner. When Ryder inquires as to why Chloe is unable to accompany him, she responds that she has committed to assisting Theo with something, which just adds to Ryder’s worry.
Theo gladly volunteers his skills when Chloe realizes she needs to bring Ryder to the nightclub without giving the game away. As Ryder walks out onto the dock to meet Chloe, Theo grabs him from behind and pulls a hood over his face, stuffing a horrified Ryder into the trunk of his car.
Ryder’s calls for aid are ignored as he is transported to the club, and when he eventually arrives and is unmasked, Ryder is furious at his captor’s identity.
Theo watches on in amusement as Ryder yells at him, filming the incident for posterity.
“I don’t see why Chloe keeps falling for your act!” he cries before Theo instructs him to turn back.
Ryder is surprised to discover Chloe, Nikau, and Bella waiting for him.
The foursome enters the club as VIP guests for the evening, but Ryder finds it difficult to get excited about the surprise. Felicity (Jacqui Purvis) greets the guests and introduces them to their hostess, Anne (Megan Smart).
Ryder is still short with Theo, so Chloe urges him to cut him some slack—she had no idea what Theo had planned, but he had to get Ryder to the party somehow! As he goes away and starts downing champagne, she can’t understand why he’s in such a nasty mood.
The fact that Ryder was ‘kidnapped’ by Theo must have been incredibly triggering for him because the four of them were kidnapped for real last year by drug dealer Paul’s henchmen. It’s Bella who finally points out the obvious to Chloe. Chloe can’t believe she’s done something so dumb (and neither can we…)!
Chloe begs if he can simply put it behind him and enjoy his evening, but they’re interrupted by Theo just as Ryder promises to try. Ryder’s insecurities are returned in full force.
Chloe sides with Theo when Ryder wants him to go, saying she’d rather spend time with him when Ryder is being so harsh. Chloe then joins Theo on the dancefloor, leaving Ryder feeling as if his girlfriend is slipping away.
Ryder realizes that two can play at that game and tries to dance with Anne to make Chloe jealous as he drowns his sorrows.
An upheaval Chloe is well aware of Ryder’s plans and admits to Bella that they are working.
Nik is compelled to call Tane (Ethan Browne) to come to pick up Ryder as his behavior escalates during the evening. Tane eventually escorts Ryder out of the building, barely in time to save him from being ejected by security.
Ryder wakes up sleepy on the Paratas’ couch the next morning, his first glimpse on his 21st birthday being an unimpressed Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) hovering over him…
Ari inquires as to what transpired the night before, and Ryder inquires as to what Chloe has told…
Ari informs him that Chloe hasn’t mentioned anything because she hasn’t returned home!
Ryder can’t help but wonder… did Chloe spend the night with Theo instead of booking a hotel room for the two of them?
