Valerie’s secret has been hinted at in Home and Away, as Justin and Kirby grow wary of the newcomer and her fascination with Theo.
When Valerie Beaumont (Courtney Clarke) first arrived in Summer Bay last week, it was discovered that she was Leah’s (Ada Nicodemou) roommate from the mental health clinic that she had just left.
Since their previous contact before the 2023 Season Finale, in which she brandished a knife at Justin (James Stewart) in the diner, Leah has been finding it difficult to get back in touch with him after returning from the clinic. She fears that being around him could lead to another episode.
The couple’s reunion has been made possible in large part by Valerie’s visit. Initially, she persuaded Leah to let Justin stay for dinner at Summer Bay House, and then she urged Justin to persist when his over enthusiasm drove Leah away once more.
Despite a few hiccups along the way, her efforts seem to have paid off, as the most recent Australian episode concluded with Justin and Leah strolling hand in hand after deciding to go cautiously.
Valerie and Theo (Matt Evans) have also been getting closer in this week’s episodes. Valerie was thrilled with Theo’s guitar strumming as he played a song while the four of them had dinner at Justin and Leah’s old shared house.
Next, in an attempt to give Theo and Valerie some alone time, Leah recommended that her nephew take Valerie out and “show her the sights” in a less-than-subtle attempt at matchmaking.
After Valerie revealed that a death in the family had forced her to put her career on hold, Theo started questioning her about her history. Things were going well until they got to Salt for a drink.
Theo was compelled to apologise the following day for making things unpleasant after Valerie cut him off.
Valerie apologised to Theo in the most recent Australian episode for keeping him in the dark and made the decision to be more forthcoming. She said that no one, not even Leah, had ever questioned her about her past.
She revealed that even though she was close to her brother, he would constantly criticise her for her partying when she was a teenager. After being ejected from a party one evening, she had to call him to arrange for his pickup.
Things got ugly on the car ride home when Valerie’s brother started his customary onslaught of judgemental remarks. When Valerie lost patience and attempted to open the car door while they were still driving, her brother briefly looked away from the road.
Valerie realised that the two were stuck and upside down the following moment. She called out to her brother repeatedly, but he would not wake up and there was no response. At the scene, he was declared deceased.
After that, her parents severed their relationship with her and haven’t spoken to her since. She stays in the same mental health hospital as Leah because she continues to hold herself responsible for what happened.
Now, as some of Theo’s closest friends grow wary of his developing friendship with the newcomer, a new Home and Away promo challenges Valerie’s identity and implies that she may be hiding something.
As he strolls around the beach with Valerie, Justin remarks, “I still don’t know you that well.”
He says, “What’s your story?” to the newcomer’s startled expression.
Leah asks Justin what worries him in a different scene, to which he responds, “I trust Valerie, that should be enough.”
Why is Valerie the subject of Justin’s suspicions so soon after her arrival in Summer Bay, and is he justified in his concerns?
Kirby (Angelina Thomson) is the second person who is worried, but is she genuinely concerned or is she just envious of her ex-boyfriend’s budding bond with the enigmatic new face?
Following a surf, Kirby turns to her left as she goes back across the beach and notices Theo and Valerie sitting together on the sand, Theo with his arm around Valerie.
“I just saw Theo and Valerie getting all cosy on the beach,” she says to Rose (Kirsty Marillier) as they make their way back to the Surf Club.
Rose asks, “Who’s Valerie?”
Valerie is reassured by Theo, who says, “Whenever you need to talk, I’m here,” as we see additional images of them being intimate.
The teaser poses the question, “What’s she hiding?,” which gives us our first clue that she is harbouring a secret.
Kirby asks her ex, “what’s going on with her?” and Theo’s eyes light up as they get ready to play another show at Salt.
The narrator in the trailer states that “her eyes are set on one person” and then cuts to a scene of Valerie and Theo kissing and collapsing back onto Theo’s bed.
The narrator teases, “But, it could destroy him,” as the two stroll besides Saxon Avenue in an alleyway.
Desire to know my secret? Valerie stops dead in her tracks and asks.
Next week’s spoilers state that “Valerie leads Theo astray” during their confrontation, and that “Kirby issues a warning to Theo” the day after.
Is Summer Bay’s newest character going to cause Theo some major trouble?
