Episode 8225
UK airdate: Friday 10 May 2024 at 13:45 on Channel 5 and 18:00 on 5STAR
Australian airdate: Monday 18 March 2024 at 19:00 on Channel 7
Roo is making all the necessary arrangements to apply to be Maia’s emergency foster carer, but self-doubt is creeping in. She confides in Alf over her fears, wondering aloud how someone can just stay detached enough to an infant they love so they can give them up when the time comes.
Having overheard the whole plan, Felicity pays Roo an unexpected visit. She comforts her, reassuring her that what she’s doing to help Tane is amazing, that she would be a fantastic foster parent, and that the world is lucky to have her.
On her way out of the Surf Club, Felicity eyes the overwhelming amount of supplies, gifts and donations on the counter that people donated for Maia. This gets the gears in her head turning – maybe there are other ways to help that don’t involve caring for a baby. She announces that Salt is going to hold a fundraiser, and she’s roping Xander in to run it.
Meanwhile, Theo and Valerie return home from a huge night out partying. Theo, exhausted, wants to rest, but Valerie is visibly uncomfortable with the silence – there’s nothing to distract her from her own mind when it’s quiet. Cuddling in bed, Theo tells her that he thinks he’s falling in love with her. This triggers an unexpected reaction from Valerie, who immediately jumps up from bed and makes an excuse about needing to leave.
On the verge of a breakdown, she asks Theo if he can take back what he said; she’s afraid that she’s going to let him down. She also reveals her fears about Leah and Justin kicking her out. After all, she lost her own parents once already, so who’s to say that it won’t happen again?
Theo manages to calm her down long enough to bring her home, but Valerie is overwhelmed. She pulls out a couple of pills and tells Theo she’s going to have one, and pressures him to do it with her. However, as soon as Valerie lies down and closes her eyes, Theo takes the pill out of his mouth and disposes of it. He’s worried – this is getting out of control.