Rhona’s REVENGE?
As she heads to court for Gus’ sentencing, will she stick to their agreement about baby Ivy?
Alot has happened since Rhona’s ex-husband Gus tipped up in the village to ask the vet if he could use their frozen embryos to have a child with his new wife Lucy. We’ve had fraud, death and a dramatic kidnap. And, at the centre of it all is a baby girl named Ivy, who shares Gus and Rhona’s DNA.
Having previously gone to great lengths to keep Rhona out of Ivy’s life, widower Gus is now relying on her to take care of the nipper while he’s in prison. But will bitter Rhona take the opportunity to have the last laugh?
In case you need reminding, Gus’ conviction is for fraud and theft – he took the embryos without her consent. Not wanting Ivy to end up in care, he has signed legal documents that give Rhona sole custody of the nipper while he’s banged up. But in return, he expects Rhona to go easy with her victim impact statement, to boost his chances of a lighter sentence.
Dropping into Smithy Cottage ahead of his court appearance, Gus insists that, should he miraculously avoid prison, he and Rhona will simply co-parent. But she and the family struggle to take him at his word – he has a track record of telling lies.
As Rhona later arrives in court, she’s reminded of her own recent trial for kidnap.
‘Gus was relentlessly vile – he brought up her painkiller addiction and all of that,’ says actor Zoë Henry.
Ideally, she’d like him to disappear in a puff of smoke. Marlon is more sympathetic, however.
‘Gus has done bad things, but Marlon believes him to be a good man and, as a dad himself, he empathises with Gus’ fatherhood,’ says actor Mark Charnock.
As Rhona stands up to read her prepared statement, she looks visibly rattled. Does she stick to the script or say what she really feels?
‘In the aftermath of her trial, Rhona has been talking about telling the truth,’ teases Zoë.
‘So she just goes with what she feels in her heart is right and truthful.’
Is she about to stun Gus with a brutal, parting blow? And if so, how will Marlon react?
‘SHE GOES WITH WHAT SHE FEELS IS RIGHT AND TRUTHFUL’