With Tori (Penny McNamee) still in a coma, a distraught Robbo (Jake Ryan) has been keeping Jasmine (Sam Frost) at arm’s length when it comes to caring for his new baby daughter Grace.
And in a shock twist, the overwrought father leaves his wife speechless when he finally reveals his heartbreaking reason for shutting her out.
WATCH: Home & Away – Robbo’s ‘stupid stunt’ results in disaster
When the week begins, we see that Robbo is continuing to push Jasmine away, despite her repeated pleas to allow her to help look after his daughter.
“Robbo is really protective and controlling when it comes to Grace,” says Sam. “He has these concerns, and he validates his behaviour in his mind, while being oblivious to how he is treating Jas.”
Sam reveals she “really felt for” Jasmine while filming these emotionally charged scenes.
“Jasmine has been through so much with Robbo and also with Tori,” she says. “She’s always been so supportive. She was there for Tori during her pregnancy ultrasounds and for the birth of Grace.
“Jasmine is also a nurse and highly trained in looking after babies, as well as being a naturally compassionate and caring person. To be shut out like this by Robbo now is pretty heartbreaking for Jas.”
Understandably, Jasmine feels even more hurt when she returns home from work to find Irene (Lynne McGranger) babysitting little Grace while Robbo takes time out for a jog. Why, she can’t help but ask herself, is Robbo allowing Irene to take responsibility, but not his own wife?
However, when a perplexed Jasmine confronts Robbo over the matter, he continues to deflect her questions.
“Robbo is a very guarded person,” says Sam. “He’s not a very good communicator, and Jasmine just can’t understand why he’s behaving like this. It’s certainly not very fair, and Jasmine repeatedly tries to call Robbo out on his behaviour.”
Indeed, it’s only when Jasmine again brings up the issue that Robbo finally offers an explanation. But it’s one that leaves Jasmine reeling – it’s because Jasmine has always made it known that she doesn’t want children!
“Jas is completely shocked by this,” says Sam, adding, “and I think it’s a cop-out, because Jasmine has always said she wants to be there for Grace and to help look after her. She’s made that very clear, so Robbo saying this now is certainly not warranted.”
The following day, the drama comes to a head when Robbo finally bares his soul, confessing he feels a huge sense of guilt over what happened to Tori. And now, he tells Jasmine, little Grace is missing out on a mother figure and Robbo feels as though he’s failing her.
Will Jasmine be able to convince Robbo to allow her to support him with Grace, or is this the beginning of the end for the once loved-up couple?
For more, see this week’s New Idea – out now!
