Harper nods stiffly as Jo wraps up the conversation, acknowledging the offer of help with a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. On the surface, she manages to maintain her composure, thanking Jo politely and giving the impression that she’s taking the suggestion in stride. To anyone watching, it looks like Harper is handling the awkward encounter with grace, keeping the peace even when the situation is far from comfortable.

But the moment she steps outside the diner, her facade crumbles. The polite smile fades almost instantly, replaced by a scowl that betrays the frustration and bitterness she’s been holding back. Alone, Harper finally allows her true feelings to surface — the sting of losing her home, the anger at Jo’s constant interference in her life, and the simmering jealousy over Jo’s connection with Tane. Each emotion bubbles to the surface, twisting her expression as she walks away.

For Harper, the exchange with Jo is yet another reminder that moving forward won’t be easy. No matter how hard she tries to put on a brave face, the reality of her situation cuts deep, and Jo’s presence seems destined to keep making things worse. Her scowl lingers as she heads down the street, the weight of her troubles pressing heavily on her shoulders, leaving her more determined than ever to find a way out of the mess she’s been cornered into.

Believing that her awkward attempt at friendliness has paid off, Jo convinces herself that Harper is warming to her. Taking Harper’s polite smile at face value, she assumes the tension between them is starting to ease. Emboldened by this false sense of security, Jo decides to take matters into her own hands. The guilt of buying Irene’s beloved Beach House still weighs heavily on her, and she sees an opportunity to fix things by doing what she thinks is a favour.

At the same time, Jo has also noticed Tane’s obvious discomfort with the idea of Harper and Archie being left in limbo. Tane’s concern for his son is clear, and while he may not say it outright, Jo can tell that the situation bothers him deeply. Convinced she’s doing the right thing for everyone involved — and perhaps wanting to prove herself to Tane in the process — Jo sets about searching for a rental property on Harper’s behalf.

Scrolling through listings and making enquiries, Jo imagines how grateful Harper will be once she realises someone has taken the pressure off her shoulders. To Jo, it feels like a way to ease her conscience and smooth over the cracks in their strained relationship. But what she fails to consider is how Harper will actually feel about her interference. Far from being a helping hand, Jo’s actions risk crossing a line, turning what she sees as kindness into yet another unwanted intrusion into Harper’s already complicated life.

But when Jo calls over at the Beach House with a hot tip for a rental, Harper finally snaps, as she orders Jo to stay out of her personal life.