She’s made no secret of her longing to become a mother.
Now more ready than ever to have a baby, Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee) is understandably disheartened when she discovers there is a long waiting list for a sperm donor through the IVF database.
‘Tori has learnt that she doesn’t actually have a lot of time on her hands, because her ovarian reserves are quite low,’ says Penny. ‘So she’s quite shocked to now find out that there is such a wait.’
But when Tori’s close friend Leah (Ada Nicodemou) reminds the Summer Bay doctor that there may be another option – she could ask someone she already knows to be her donor – Tori warms to the suggestion immediately.
‘For Tori, this is much more of a practical idea than an emotional one,’ says Penny.
Later, when Tori sees just how Robbo (Jake Ryan) has turned his life around – having now taken on an exciting new venture as owner of the local gym – it suddenly dawns on her that he could be her perfect donor!
‘It’s one of those fortuitous moments,’ says Penny. ‘It immediately makes sense to her. They have a history together, but it’s not a romantic one. She’s really been there for Robbo, and has been a huge support person in his life. Now she feels, “Well, I’m not completely crazy to be asking him.” She also really trusts Robbo, and does believe he’s a good man.’
Later, Tori confides in her brother Justin (James Stewart), who is stunned that his sister sees Robbo as her potential donor. After all, he reasons, with Robbo living in the same small coastal town as Tori, he would have to be a part of the child’s life – whether Tori wanted that to be the case or not. But Tori is undeterred.
‘Justin always acts as a really strong support to Tori and he knows just how much she wants to be a mother,’ says Penny.
‘After voicing his concerns, he gives her a bit of a pep talk.’
Extremely nervous, and after a few false starts, Tori finally musters the courage to talk to Robbo about the idea.
‘I feel quite proud of Tori for putting her heart on the line like this,’ says Penny.
How will Robbo react to Tori’s shock proposition?
For the full story, and more Home And Away exclusives, see this weeks issue of New Idea – on sale now!
