Next week on Home and Away in the UK, things take a chilling turn in Summer Bay as Roo welcomes her very first foster child — but the girl’s mysterious past and unsettling behavior quickly raise alarm bells. What begins as a heartfelt attempt to offer sanctuary turns into a dangerous game of trust and survival, leaving Roo questioning whether she’s in over her head.
It’s been nearly a year since Roo made the decision to become a foster carer, inspired by Tane’s discovery of a baby abandoned on the beach. That experience opened Roo’s heart to fostering, even though the baby’s biological mother later returned and reclaimed her daughter. The touching journey didn’t end there for Roo — it only ignited her determination to make a difference.
Now, Roo’s application has finally been approved, and her first placement is imminent. She gathers Alf and Marilyn at Summer Bay House to share the big news: they’ll be fostering a 14-year-old girl named Eliza Sherwood. The teen has been in the foster system for four years and is now in urgent need of a new home after her previous placement was destroyed in a house fire.
Despite completing her training, Roo confesses to Marilyn that she’s riddled with doubt. She wonders if she’s truly ready for the responsibility. But Marilyn, always a calming force, reassures her by reminding her of all the lives Roo has positively influenced — from her niece Maddy to her nephew Ryder. And with Alf and Marilyn pledging their full support, Roo musters her courage and moves forward.
When Roo finally brings Eliza home, the girl appears quiet and withdrawn. Alf warmly welcomes her, trying to put her at ease, but Eliza remains guarded, not convinced that this placement will last. When Alf reaches for the small music box Eliza is clutching, she reacts defensively. Roo gently explains that it’s the only item Eliza managed to save from the fire — a traumatic event that also left her with a burn on her arm.
Later, as Roo helps Eliza change the dressing on her injury, she gently encourages her to open up. Eliza begins to describe the harrowing fire that destroyed her former home, revealing that her foster siblings were still inside when she fled. Roo is visibly shaken but relieved when Eliza assures her that everyone made it out alive. Still, something about Eliza’s demeanor lingers with Roo — a quiet intensity that’s difficult to shake.
Once Eliza is alone in her room, the façade begins to crack. She opens her music box, revealing a strange and unsettling collection of items: a white feather, a lock of blonde hair, a family photo with the parents’ faces scratched out, a ring… and a lighter. With a haunting calmness, Eliza strikes the lighter and stares into the flame, mesmerized.
Downstairs, Roo confides in Alf and Marilyn. While she’s clearly unsettled, she remains committed to supporting Eliza. “That’s why I mustn’t give up on her,” Roo insists. “No matter what.” But her words are laced with worry. Something about Eliza just doesn’t sit right.
And viewers are left with a lingering question: did Eliza start the fire herself?
With a sinister undertone building and Eliza’s secrets slowly coming to light, next week’s Home and Away promises tension, mystery, and the kind of psychological drama that keeps Summer Bay fans on edge. Roo’s journey into fostering may have started with hope — but now it could spiral into a nightmare. Stay tuned, because Eliza’s presence in the Bay may end up being far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
