E4 FRIDAY
THE WORRIED MUM LEARNS AN UPSETTING SECRET ABOUT FRANKIE…
Suzanne is left devastated this week, when she discovers daughter Frankie is self-harming.
The traumatised teen is being secretly sexually abused by her toxic twin brother JJ, and is too terrified to speak out. But when her family learn she’s been hurting herself, will the awful truth be revealed?
Suzanne Hall, who plays Frankie’s mum Suzanne, discusses the storyline…
Hi, Suzanne! What does JJ tell his mum he reads in Frankie’s journal?
He says Frankie admitted to intentionally injuring his foot, so Suzanne is angry at her daughter. Suzanne believes JJ, she has no reason to think he would lie. In her eyes he is the golden boy and has never done anything wrong.
Why does she think Frankie is behaving so badly?
JJ’s doing well with his football career, so it must be jealousy. Plus there’s been the upheaval of moving to the village. Frankie hasn’t played up like this for a few years, it’s flared up again just lately.
How does she react when she discovers Frankie is self-harming?
Suzanne blames herself. She has been through this with Hannah, she doesn’t want it to happen again with another of her daughters. She tries to protect Frankie and starts to question what’s going on. This isn’t just superficial, there is something deep-rooted.
What happens when Carter calls the family for a meeting at the school?
They discuss safeguarding – at first Suzanne doesn’t want any counselling, but Darren says it worked when Charlie was having a traumatic time. That’s a turning point for Suzanne, she agrees to attempt counselling
