Next week on Home and Away in the UK, John struggles to tell Irene of his plans to return home, whilst Theo discovers a big secret from Kirby’s past.
It’s the day that ‘Jirene’ fans hoped would never arrive when John (Shane Withington) decides it’s time to leave the Beach House.
John has been recuperating from surgery following the Stunning Organics attack for the past few weeks at Irene’s (Lynne McGranger) Pacific Road house.
Irene had spent the night by John’s bedside in the hospital after he had a subsequent heart scare, where he thought back on the previous few years of living alone.
“If I died here today, I would have died a lonely man” he told Irene. “When I leave here, I go back to an empty house… there’s got to be more to life than that, hasn’t there?”
Irene was more than glad to extend an invitation to her old buddy to remain after he was discharged from the hospital because she has been living alone in the Beach House since last year, and Dr. Bree (Juliet Godwin) agreed with her that John shouldn’t be left alone while recovering.
Since their living arrangement has gone far better than expected, speculations of a possible relationship between the two have begun to spread around Summer Bay.
Irene was more than glad to extend an invitation to her old buddy to remain after he was discharged from the hospital because she has been living alone in the Beach House since last year, and Dr. Bree (Juliet Godwin) agreed with her that John shouldn’t be left alone while recovering.
Since their living arrangement has gone far better than expected, speculations of a possible relationship between the two have begun to spread around Summer Bay.
After all the confusion subsided, John and Marilyn decided to go to Jett’s wedding together. Following the ceremony, they return to Summer Bay the following week.
Everything about the wedding seemed to go well, with John and Marilyn’s speeches being the high point of Jett’s day. However, when John finds something to be unhappy about in his hotel room, Alf (Ray Meagher) notes that he sounds like his usual self again.
John says he would really like to return to the surf club full-time when Alf asks if he thinks he’d be up to it.
Irene, meantime, wants to make sure Marilyn isn’t upset about the practical joke. Marilyn affirms that all is forgiven and that they will both endeavour to communicate more honestly in the future.
Irene is most excited for John’s return however, the house has been quiet without him and she’s looking forward to cooking him a slap-up meal tonight. She’s even made him a cake to welcome him back!
Irene is full of energy as she leaves John and Marilyn at the coffee cart, warning them that it will be their time to cook tomorrow night. She has everything planned out.
John is miserable. Irene has no idea that he told Marilyn that he was going to move back home tonight while they were driving!
Irene is overjoyed to see him back, so John decides that one more night at the Beach House won’t hurt even when Marilyn calls him out on it.
Marilyn, who seems eager for John to follow through, persuades him that he should tell Irene the truth about his desire to return back home.
Before John can tell Irene, she informs him that a new episode of their favourite police drama, Keystone Cops (which is reportedly set in Yabbie Creek), has just aired. She didn’t watch it on purpose so that when he gets back, they can both enjoy it.
John is touched by the gesture as Marilyn watches on, and he remains torn when Irene later tells him that she’s cooking his absolute favourite that evening, roast pork.
Marilyn drags John outside with her when Irene orders her to stop pushing the coffee cart. John says he wants to move home, but he doesn’t want to do it at the expense of Irene’s happiness!
In an attempt to lessen the blow, John considers turning up his bothersome behaviours, but Marilyn tells him that Irene would much rather have the truth given the recent occurrences. Irene will hear from John, he says, but not until the morning.
John finally tells Irene that he’s returning home the next day. He’s surprised at how well she takes it, realising that he needs his own space. John tells her that her friendship means the world to him and expresses his gratitude for everything she has done for him.
Irene affirms that she will be alright on her own and that the sentiment is reciprocated. But it’s obvious that Irene is more unhappy than she’s letting on as John leaves.
Meanwhile in Summer Bay, Kirby (Angelina Thomson), who has been putting in a lot of effort to organise marketing for the impending record, is caught up with Justin (James Stewart), who has rejoined Lyrik to take up his role as “manager.”
Justin is worried that Kirby could be punishing Theo for their recent separation when he notices that Theo (Matt Evans), his ex-boyfriend, is receiving a lot of the publicity. Justin is uncomfortable with promotional material. Kirby finds the idea offensive and notes that Theo will have to take a backseat since he is the front man.
Ada Nicodemou’s character Leah attempts to try and diffuse the situation. Later, she tells Kirby that even though Justin may have approached the situation incorrectly, there might be some validity to his claims.
Kirby’s constant attention to the band keeps her from worrying about the breakup, which Leah believes is typical breakup behaviour. However, it’s made more difficult when her ex-boyfriend plays in the band.
Leah advises Kirby to find an other area of her life to concentrate on than the band and Theo. Kirby takes exception at this and goes on to say that it’s made even worse by the fact that Theo’s aunt Leah is her employer at the diner. Kirby informs Leah that she is leaving the diner because she feels like she needs some space from it.
Kirby stops down on the beach to think after telling Justin and Theo that their relationship is now strictly professional. As Emily Weir’s character Mackenzie draws near, Kirby tells her that she used to be a surfer and that she used to watch different people catch waves.
Kirby continues by saying that she used to frequently travel to a secluded beach where she had the entire area to herself—her own little paradise. She compares surfing to meditation.
But one day she lost control and was knocked unconscious by her board; it was only by happenstance that a bystander noticed her and called for help. Kirby hasn’t been able to board a board since he woke up in the hospital.
Mac believes Kirby to confront her fear. With a promise to support her at every turn, Mac takes some equipment from Mali (Kyle Shilling) and gives it to Kirby. After that, they return to the beach.
Kirby takes her time as she paddles out, steeling herself to stand up on the board, but once she does so she finds a new sense of courage.
Mac cheers from the beach as Kirby triumphantly catches wave after wave and conquers her fear.
Theo then approaches, curious as to who Mac is cheering for, and is stunned when she points out Kirby in the surf.
Mac catches his reaction… “You didn’t know?”
“The whole time we were together, she never mentioned it…” a miffed Theo replies.
Given Theo is a keen surfer himself, that’s got to smart a bit! Is this revelation going to cause further issues between the pair?
