10/04/2025

Mick is shocked when Joy turns up without warning at her Beechwood house. She pours out the story of her marriage: how she met Peter when she was very young, only realising later that his abusive behaviour wasn’t normal. Things improved for a while when Rochelle came along, before Peter turned abusive again, had numerous affairs and finally left. That’s when Joy broke down, barely acting as a parent to Rochelle at all. So, what Rochelle said about Joy neglecting her is all true. It was only after a neighbour intervened that Joy started therapy, but Rochelle had long since left home by the time Joy recovered. Joy admits she didn’t really understand the damage she’d done until Rochelle spoke out a couple of weeks ago. She’ll understand if Mick wants to bail out of their relationship, but he tells her he’s not going anywhere.

At the Shop Ed and Eddie are looking for cowboy hats for the safety video they’re making for George. Rochelle’s surprised when they tell her they’ve seen Joy. Later, at Grange Farm, Ed and Eddie show Clarrie the finished video, but it’s terrible. What are they going to tell George?

Rochelle is cool with Joy when she returns from her shift. Despite Joy’s ‘mea culpa’ Rochelle can’t forgive her. Trying to think positively Mick mentions Rochelle’s new job at Casey Meats. But Joy is stunned – Rochelle’s a vegan. Rochelle retorts angrily that she’s got a job, isn’t that enough? When Mick asks how they’re getting on Joy tells him they’ve made a start and that’s the main thing.