A chilling mystery begins to unfold in Summer Bay as a seemingly innocent homeschooling session takes an unsettling turn. In upcoming episodes of Home and Away,

young Eliza’s disturbing fascination with violence raises alarm bells among those around her—culminating in a shocking moment that leaves one of the Bay’s most trusted figures unknowingly connected

to a troubling secret. What begins as an ordinary day of lessons quickly evolves into something far more concerning.

A Troubled Start to Homeschooling

Eliza’s homeschooling arrangement with Roo Stewart gets off to a rocky start almost immediately. Roo is determined to give the girl a stable learning environment, hoping that structure and patience will help Eliza settle into a more balanced routine.

But Eliza shows little interest in the lessons placed before her.

Mathematics, reading exercises, and geography fail to capture her attention. Roo patiently attempts to guide her through the material, encouraging participation and trying to spark curiosity. Yet Eliza appears disengaged, her focus drifting elsewhere as she flips half-heartedly through the pages of her textbooks.

Then something suddenly catches her eye.

While browsing a history book, Eliza becomes fixated on a section discussing World War I medical practices. The pages feature graphic photographs of injured soldiers, images of bandaged wounds, and historical accounts describing emergency amputations performed with surgical saws on the battlefield.

To Roo’s surprise—and quiet discomfort—Eliza becomes animated for the first time all day.

Her interest is intense and oddly specific. She studies the photographs carefully, asking questions about the procedures and the injuries soldiers suffered during the war. What might have been a brief educational moment instead takes on a darker tone as Eliza appears fascinated not by the history itself, but by the brutality behind it.

Alf Shares War Stories

During the lesson, Alf Stewart stops by and becomes involved in the discussion. Known for his straightforward manner and decades of life experience, Alf offers insight into the realities of war, drawing from his own memories of serving in Vietnam.

Alf recounts stories about the chaos and hardship he witnessed during his time in the military—stories that carry the weight of lived experience. His reflections are meant to provide historical context and perhaps offer a lesson about the cost of conflict.

But Eliza’s reaction takes the conversation in an uncomfortable direction.

Instead of focusing on the emotional or historical significance of Alf’s memories, she bluntly asks him what it was like to see people die.

The question lands heavily in the room.

Alf pauses, clearly taken aback by the starkness of the inquiry. While war inevitably involves confronting death, Eliza’s tone feels less like curiosity and more like a clinical fascination with the experience itself.

Roo senses the tension immediately and attempts to steer the conversation back to safer territory, but the moment lingers in the air—an early sign that Eliza’s interests may be more troubling than they first appeared.

An Awkward Encounter at the Surf Club

Later in the day, the unease continues during a visit to the Surf Club.

Eliza spots Harper Matheson and quickly approaches her. Harper, who is expecting a baby, has become a familiar face around town, and many residents share in her excitement about the upcoming arrival.

But Eliza’s interaction with Harper quickly becomes uncomfortable.

Without warning, she reaches out and places a hand on Harper’s baby bump, studying the movement beneath the surface with intense curiosity. She asks Harper what it feels like when the baby moves inside her, her tone again reflecting a strange mixture of fascination and detachment.

Harper is caught off guard by the sudden invasion of personal space.

Before the moment can escalate further, Roo steps in and firmly pulls Eliza away, reminding her that touching someone without permission is inappropriate. Roo’s reaction is sharp but protective, attempting to maintain boundaries while avoiding embarrassing Harper.

Still, the incident leaves Roo increasingly uneasy.

A Secret Theft at the Bait Shop

As the day continues, Eliza’s attention shifts to another object that captures her imagination: Alf’s collection of fishing knives.

At the bait shop, the tools are displayed openly—practical equipment used for preparing bait and handling the day’s catch. For most people in Summer Bay, the knives are simply part of everyday life around the ocean.

But for Eliza, they represent something else entirely.

Drawn to the sharp blades, she studies them carefully before making a quiet decision that will have disturbing implications. In a moment when no one is paying attention, Eliza discreetly takes one of Alf’s knives and slips it into her bag.

The theft goes unnoticed.

Later, in private, Eliza adds the knife to a hidden collection she has been building—a set of strange “trophies” that she keeps carefully stored away.

What the items represent, and why she is collecting them, remains a troubling mystery.

Justin and Theo’s Mechanical Drama

Elsewhere in Summer Bay, tensions flare between Justin Morgan and Theo Poulos.

Theo has recently attempted to repair his car by ordering a replacement part online, convinced he could save money by choosing a cheaper option. Justin, however, is immediately skeptical of the purchase.

His concerns prove justified.

The part turns out to be poorly manufactured, and as Theo installs it, additional mechanical problems begin to surface. Justin grows increasingly frustrated as he watches the situation spiral, pointing out that cutting corners often leads to bigger costs in the long run.

Theo initially defends his decision, insisting that he wants to handle things independently. But as the faulty component continues to cause trouble, it becomes clear that Justin’s warnings were correct.

The argument highlights the growing tension between the two, with Justin trying to offer guidance while Theo struggles to prove he can manage on his own.

Harper Faces Pregnancy Concerns

Meanwhile, Harper finds herself at the center of another conflict involving her health.

Tane Parata becomes increasingly concerned about the strain she’s putting on herself by traveling frequently between Summer Bay and the city for work commitments.

The long drives worry him, especially considering Harper’s pregnancy.

Tane urges Levi Fowler to speak with Harper about the potential risks. While the advice is well-intentioned, Harper initially dismisses the concerns, insisting that she is capable of managing both her responsibilities and her health.

However, the discussion eventually leads to a compromise.

Recognizing the need to reduce stress and ensure proper medical supervision, Harper agrees to stay in the city for a while and receive her prenatal checkups from a doctor there.

It’s a practical decision—but one that also means spending time away from the support network she has built in Summer Bay.

A Dark Mystery Looms

By the end of the episode, several storylines remain unresolved, but one mystery stands above the rest: Eliza’s secret theft of Alf’s knife.

The object now sits hidden among her growing collection, raising serious questions about her motivations and what she plans to do next.

For Roo, the signs of Eliza’s troubling behavior are beginning to accumulate, though she may not yet realize just how serious the situation could become.

In a town like Summer Bay, where secrets rarely stay hidden for long, it may only be a matter of time before the truth about Eliza’s actions comes to light—and when it does, the consequences could be far more dangerous than anyone expects.