Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) fears that she might be called in to help abuser JJ (Ryan Mulvey) in Hollyoaks next week following his leukaemia diagnosis.
JJ, as viewers know, sexually abused twin sister Frankie for years and gaslit and manipulating her into keeping quiet about it, claiming that no-one would believe her.
Frankie, however, bravely confided in dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson), who never doubted her for a second, disowning JJ for what he did and vowing to help his daughter get justice.
Hollyoaks subsequently took a time jump one year into the future and, just as justice was potentially on the cards for Frankie, JJ fell ill and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Darren has struggled to come to terms with such a thing, finding himself torn between being by Frankie’s side while also trying to be there for JJ following his diagnosis.
Next week, Nancy (Jessica Fox) updates Frankie, informing her that JJ is not responding to treatment and that Darren could be a potential match for his bone marrow.
Frankie rushes off to take an important call – and she’s left reeling to discover that she might be looked upon as a donor for JJ.
Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) assures her that she wouldn’t have to do such a thing but Frankie doesn’t know what to think.
Darren and Jack (Jimmy McKenna), meanwhile, arrive at the hospital to find out whether the former is a match with JJ, but they’re left in shock when they’re told that JJ has vanished.
In the village, JJ is trying to hide out and he leaves a note for Frankie at Price Slice. Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) spots him and tries to talk to him but he collapses, with Nancy subsequently calling the ambulance.
At the hospital, Darren is told that JJ has pneumonia. After processing such news, he speaks to Frankie, assuring her that he hasn’t taken JJ’s side. The conflicted dad also asks Frankie to try and understand why he can’t abandon JJ right now.
Left with food for thought, Frankie goes to see JJ and, outside the hospital, she asks him for the truth about why he abused her.
Will JJ finally admit what he did? Or will he deny everything once again? What’s more, will Frankie ever get justice for what JJ has put her through?
That remains to be seen but subsequent scenes see Frankie seek solace in alcohol, with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) and Vicky left incredibly concerned abouther.
Nancy comes to take Frankie home and Lucas follows, with he and Frankie sharing something of a heart-to-heart.
