Harper’s (Jessica Redmayne) ongoing battle with Tane (Ethan Browne) over co-parenting baby Archie takes another turn next week, as Harper and Dana’s (Ally Harris) mother, Kerrie (Sara Wiseman) makes an unexpected visit to Summer Bay.
Whilst Dana refused to change her stance on purging her parents from her life, Harper tasked Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) with tracking them down.
Whilst it was discovered that dad Warwick had died four years ago, mum Kerrie was still around and had not come to police attention in that time. Buoyed by the hope that her mother had changed her ways, Harper decided to reach out and set up a tentative meeting.
The trust between them now broken, Harper moved herself and Archie out of the Parata house to the local motel, and informed Tane that she’d be applying for a formal custody arrangement. Any further questions would have to go through her solicitor.
Stunned by the contents, Tane reacts angrily to the proposal that Harper should have full custody of Archie, whilst Tane pays child support with access limited to every second weekend.
Unable to get through to Harper, Tane turns to Dana, demanding she tell him where Harper and Archie are staying, but Dana refuses to divulge.
Whilst she agrees the proposed arrangements go too far, she makes it clear she promised to keep Harper’s location secret and has no intention of breaking that trust.
As Tane prepares to meet Harper, Mackenzie (Emily Weir) does her best to rein him in, urging him to slow down and keep his emotions in check. She warns that charging in angry will only make things worse, but Tane is too wound up to take it on board.
When the pair meet, Harper tells Tane that she’s left Archie with Dana, explaining she doesn’t want to take risks while tensions are so high. Tane reacts badly to that decision, frustrated that he’s being kept away from his son and that he still doesn’t even know where Harper and Archie are staying.
Harper holds firm, reminding him that his decision to take Archie without warning is exactly why she no longer trusts him.
The argument escalates, with Tane insisting that one mistake shouldn’t justify shutting him out, whilst Harper points to the solicitor’s letter as a necessary safeguard. She argues that a legal agreement will stop things spiralling the next time they disagree.
Tane immediately takes issue with what she’s proposing, refusing to accept any arrangement that leaves him sidelined in Archie’s life.
The pair move up to Salt, but when Mac offers them something to eat on the house, Harper realises Tane has already discussed the situation with her.
Kerrie wastes little time in trying to re-establish a connection, asking about Archie and hoping to see him.
Harper immediately sets boundaries, explaining that Archie is with Tane and that now isn’t the time for introductions. Kerrie presses on, saying she wants to help and acknowledging she missed her chance to do so years ago, but Harper stands firm.
Kerrie quickly reads between the lines and realises Dana is on the phone, concluding her other daughter has no interest in seeing her. Harper confirms it—Dana isn’t ready to let go of the past, and Harper admits she herself is still struggling with the forgiveness required to move forward.
Before heading out to run errands, Harper tells Kerrie to stay put at the motel. Kerrie agrees—but once Harper is gone, she ignores that request and heads out to explore the town instead.
But who should come in at that moment but John, proud to be showing off the surf club as the heart of the community to his special guest.
Hearing the all too familiar voice, Dana slowly turns around, coming face-to-face with the woman who made her childhood a living hell.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Dana states, glaring at Harper.
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