Home and Away is set to deliver a deeply emotional and unexpectedly chilling storyline this week, as John Palmer’s attempt to rediscover joy and connection takes

a dramatic turn far from the comforts of Summer Bay. What begins as a well-meaning escape with friends quickly spirals into a night that forces John

to confront his grief, his loneliness, and just how fragile he has become since losing the person who mattered most to him.

Since Irene’s recent departure from Summer Bay, John has been visibly unmoored. Their friendship was a cornerstone of his life, a constant source of comfort, laughter, and understanding. When Irene left for her world tour, John barely managed to hold himself together long enough to say goodbye. He almost missed her leaving party entirely, choosing instead to sit alone at the Surf Club until Justin gently reminded him that he would regret not being there. Although Irene tried to soften the blow with a thoughtful farewell gift — a return flight to Paris and a promise that they would reunite under the Eiffel Tower — the hole she left behind has been impossible for John to ignore.

In an effort to reassure those around him, John hosts an uncharacteristic dinner at Salt for Justin, Leah, Alf, and his ex-wife Marilyn. In a move that surprises everyone, John insists on paying for the entire evening, brushing off their concerns with forced cheerfulness. He proudly shares updates from Irene’s travels, including a selfie from Cyprus, her first stop, and announces that he plans to join her in Paris in six weeks’ time. Raising a toast, John explains that the dinner isn’t a cry for help — it’s simply about friends checking in on each other, inspired by Irene’s reminder that people need to look after one another.

But once the night ends and the others head home, the truth emerges. Alone on Salt’s balcony, John finally allows himself to feel the weight of Irene’s absence. A single tear says what his words could not: he is struggling, and the loneliness is far from over.

Justin quickly picks up on what John is really doing — trying to fill the silence with constant company — and decides to intervene in his own way. He organises a poker night at the Morgan house, hoping to give John something to look forward to. Joined by Alf and later David, the evening takes an unexpected twist when David suggests they gamble with real money instead of chips. John ends up losing $300 to Alf, and Justin worries the night may have backfired. Instead, John has a fantastic time, laughing more freely than he has in weeks.

Perhaps too freely.

The next day, an energised John presents Justin with a copy of the Coastal News Weekender, enthusiastically pointing out a list of “50 unique bonding activities.” Declaring Justin the group’s new social secretary, John insists they start planning regular catch-ups, even revealing he has already signed them up for bowling. While Alf looks bewildered, Justin gently but firmly explains that daily social events might be a bit much — once a month would be more realistic.

Overhearing the conversation, Molly steps in to comfort John, who once again insists he’s fine. Passing her the magazine, he casually suggests there might be something in there for her and Abigail. That small gesture, however, sparks the next chapter of this storyline — and the one that will push John far beyond his comfort zone.

Inspired by the magazine, Molly wastes no time planning a camping trip, inviting John and Tane to join her for a boys’ getaway away from Summer Bay. Tane is more than happy to escape, with life at home still awkward after welcoming Harper and baby Archie into his shared space with Cash. Although Harper and Tane have recently tried to ease tensions — encouraging each other to move on romantically — a break feels necessary.

For John, the camping trip represents something more: proof that he’s still connected, still wanted, still part of a community that cares.

As the trio set off, John is buoyant, regaling his captive audience with stories from his Navy days. When they arrive at the campsite, he declares it “paradise,” clearly touched by the effort his friends have made to lift his spirits. Yet it soon becomes obvious that John’s confidence doesn’t extend to life in the wilderness. Despite his military tales, he struggles to pitch his tent, much to Molly and Tane’s amusement.

The mood remains light-hearted as the group bond over practical jokes, with Molly and John teaming up to convince Tane he has accidentally eaten kangaroo droppings. For a while, it seems the trip is doing exactly what everyone hoped — John is laughing, relaxed, and momentarily free from the shadow of Irene’s absence.

Then night falls.

As the three gather around the campfire, Molly begins sharing traditional Indigenous stories — darker, more unsettling tales than John is prepared for. Unbeknownst to him, she is setting him up for what comes next: the terrifying legend of the “hairy man.” The stories hit John harder than expected, planting a seed of genuine fear in his already fragile mind.

Retreating to his tent, John finds himself unable to sleep. Every rustle, every unfamiliar sound sends his imagination racing. Alone in the darkness, the grief and anxiety he has been suppressing surge to the surface. By morning, he is exhausted, rattled, and desperate to leave.

As he nervously cooks breakfast, clearly still haunted by the previous night, John abruptly suggests they pack up and head back to Summer Bay. Molly realises immediately that her campfire storytelling has backfired, but she has no choice but to help her friend. The trip is cut short, leaving Tane confused and John visibly shaken.

Yet, in a quiet twist, the camping disaster may have achieved something important after all. Being scared, vulnerable, and pushed out of his comfort zone has reminded John of what truly matters to him. Summer Bay — with its familiar faces, routines, and sense of belonging — is where he feels safe.

As he returns home, it becomes clear that while John may never be eager to camp again, the experience has helped him reconnect with his gratitude for the life he has built. Surrounded by friends who care enough to show up, even when things go wrong, John may finally be starting to turn a corner — one small, frightened step at a time.