‘Home and Away’ spoilers for Feb. 16: Summer Bay mourns Billie’s death; tragedy may lead to a rekindled romance

A blanket of sorrow hovers over Summer Bay on the upcoming episode of “Home and Away.” On Thursday, the town is left grieving after Billie Ashford (Tessa De Josselin) succumbed to her illness. The Feb. 16 run shows how her loved ones cope with her loss and how her death ushers in complications and problems.

Apart from VJ Patterson (Matthew Little), the one most affected with Billie’s death is her brother, Martin “Ash” Ashford (George Mason). Spoilers suggest that Katarina Chapman (Pia Miller) offers him a shoulder to cry on and there’s a possibility that the two get back together again. The upcoming episode also features other “Home and Away” characters Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou), Zac Macguire (Charlie Clausen) and Justin Morgan/Jack Lee (James Stewart).

“Home and Away” stars Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher), Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor), Phoebe Nicholson (Isabella Giovinazzo), Tori Morgan/Tessa Lee (Penny McNamee), Brody Morgan/Bart Lee (Jackson Heywood), John Palmer (Shane Withington), Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons), Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger), Hunter King (Scott Lee), Mason Morgan/Michael Lee (Orpheus Pledger), Olivia Richards (Raechelle Banno), Evelyn “Evie” MacGuire (Philippa Northeast), Matt Page (Alec Snow) and Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker).

Spoiler Alert! This article contains "Home and Away" spoilers. Read only if you want to know more about it.

Back to the Bay reports that Thursday’s episode also features Zac, who turns to Sam in the midst of all the drama. Spoilers suggest that Zac feels neglected when Leah channels all her attention to her grieving son. Sam grabs the opportunity, letting Zac know she’s there for him as a friend.

Seven Network posted a sneak peek of the Feb. 16 episode on its official website. In the trailer, VJ returns to the hospital and informs the others that Billie has passed away. Ash breaks down and Justin comforts him. Billie's brother also receives consolation from Kat and they end up kissing.

“Home and Away” recap

In the previous episode, Nate delivered the grim news to Ash, VJ and Leah, leaving them all devastated. They all rushed to Billie’s room and VJ hugged her tightly. Later, Ash tried to comfort a distraught Billie, saying that they’ll transfer her to a bigger hospital so a different set of doctors can examine her. However, Nate arrived and told them that he has spoken to the top oncologists in the country, who all agreed there’s nothing they can do with her condition.

Realising that the situation is hopeless, VJ made a big decision: he asked Billie to marry him. She hesitated at first but eventually accepted, wanting to spend her last seconds as his wife. When VJ told his family about it, they also weren’t too keen on the idea but expressed their support nonetheless. Meanwhile, the news about Billie's illness spread quickly around Summer Bay and her friends soon flocked to the hospital to pay her a visit. Phoebe and Kat went to the hospital and had an emotional moment with Billie. “Home and Away” fans would remember that the three became roommates before Billie moved in with VJ and his family. Billie told them about the wedding and invited them to come. Later, an intimate ceremony was held with the couple’s loved ones. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Billie and VJ exchanged their vows and when, finally, they were officially announced as husband and wife.

Afterwards, Billie returned to the hospital and had a moment with baby Luc. Later, Billie ordered her brother to go home and get some rest. She then asked VJ for a favour: to sneak her and Luc out of the hospital. The three headed outside and spent Billie’s last minutes by the beach. “This is where I want to be,” she says. “This is where I’m happiest.” She told VJ that she wants her ashes to be scattered in the ocean – she wants her spirit to remain in Summer Bay. It wasn’t long before Billie finally breathed her last, dying in VJ’s arms.

Find out what happens next on “Home and Away,” which airs Monday to Thursday at 7pm on Seven Network in Australia. In the UK, “Home and Away” airs during weekdays at 1.15 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Channel 5.