The Rumour

Joanna arrives in Flinstead with her son, ready for a fresh start, but when she accidentally spreads a rumour that a child killer is living in town, paranoia takes hold. As suspicion spreads, Joanna becomes convinced that her neighbour Sonia is hiding a dark secret, igniting a chain of events that fractures the community.

Joanna is blindsided when a reporter questions her about the chilling rumour - someone has fed him information. Bea urges her to drop it, but threats force Joanna and Alfie to stay with her. Then she discovers Michael has picked up Alfie from school without her knowledge. Panic consumes her as she frantically searches, fearing the worst. As the press exposes Sonia, tensions explode. On Halloween, the kids enter her house after finding the door open - and inside, they make a shocking discovery.

A shocking turn of events sparks a storm of blame and Bea, distraught, accuses Joanna of causing it all. Shaken, Joanna decides to move back home with Alfie. At school, the tension shifts as Debbie unexpectedly apologises. The town believes Sonia to be Sally McGowan and suspicion mounts while secrets unravel, and Joanna is left questioning.

Joanna becomes obsessed with finding out who Sally McGowan is. Michael is horrified by Joanna's behaviour and reveals he knows she scared a child in London. Undeterred, she believes a prison painting could expose the truth. Fired from work, she rushes to Kay's house and saves her from a gas leak. Joanna tips off Zac, but when he exposes Liz, Bea realises Joanna was the source.

Joanna reels from the truth while Bea faces the fallout. As Michael warns Bea, unaware they're being watched, Joanna discovers Rachel has taken Alfie. Desperate, she tracks them to a derelict house, where Rachel demands Bea's confession. Flames erupt, chaos ensues, and Joanna seizes the moment to escape with Alfie.