16/01/2025

Neil’s conflicted. Part of him feels he doesn’t need to know anything about his birth parents; his foster family were great and gave him everything. But he does acknowledge the genetic connection with his birth family. He’s torn between nature and nurture. Hearing this prompts Susan to ask Adam about finding his half-sister, Erin. Susan explains Neil’s vacillating mindset, and Adam confirms he’d be happy to chat with him. Later Adam’s story illustrating the pros and cons of reconnecting doesn’t put Neil off. He feels he’s got nothing to lose by pursuing this, and he and Susan agree they’ll start the search.Rex reckons he’s too busy for Rochelle’s picnic – they’ve got the green light for the beaver scheme and he has lots to do. Even more reason to share her hamper, asserts Rochelle. Rex folds, and they enjoy their time together. But when Rochelle suggests they do it again sometime Rex obfuscates. Rochelle can’t understand it – they’re both feeling something aren’t they? Rex agrees they are. With difficulty he admits that Joy has warned him Rochelle is vulnerable. Shocked Rochelle confronts her mum, accusing her of humiliating her and effectively labelling her to Rex as damaged goods. Joy insists she can see Rochelle’s vulnerability, away from her children with no job or proper home. She needs to stop being distracted and focus on Harper and Noah. Rochelle retorts that Joy was a useless mother, and now she only cares about her grandkids. She accuses distraught Joy of letting her down, and orders her out.