Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) is set to open up to dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) in Hollyoaks next week, revealing her abuse ordeal at twin brother JJ’s (Ryan Mulvey) hands.
JJ, as viewers know, has been sexually abusing Frankie for months, with the Channel 4 soap tackling a storyline that explores the common but under-recognised form of child sibling sexual abuse.
Frankie has been suffering in silence for months, with JJ threatening her into keeping quiet, which led to her self-harming.
When JJ found out about the self-harming, he promised Frankie he’d stop abusing her – but he lied, raping his twin sister in devastating scenes.
The abuser’s behaviour left Frankie believing that she couldn’t open up, with JJ claiming that no-one would believe her.
A violent showdown ensued, with JJ attacking Frankie with a football boot. Nancy (Jessica Fox) received the blame for the incident, with Frankie claiming that her stepmum pushed her down the stairs – a lie which JJ forced her to tell.
To complicate matters further, Frankie worried that Oscar (Noah Holdsworth) was in danger from JJ and therefore she agreed to keep shtum about everything, determined to protect her little brother, as well as her cousin Lexi, who has been staying with them following Freddie Roscoe’s (Charlie Clapham) hospitalisation.
The day of Nancy’s plea hearing – for the aforementioned incident – arrives next week and the deputy head teacher is looking forward to clearing her name. Frankie, meanwhile, is excited as she reads about dance school, while JJ receives the news he’s longed for, being told that he’s got the United contract.
JJ is, of course, lauded by his loved ones, which proves difficult for Frankie, especially with Nancy’s trial rapidly approaching.
Nancy is concerned that she’ll get found guilty, telling Darren that he’ll be forced to choose between her or the twins given that she won’t be allowed to live under the same roof as Frankie.
Darren, however, reassures her that the court will see that she’s innocent.
Making one final plea, Darren asks Frankie to go over what happened on the night she was injured. Will Frankie come clean?
That remains to be seen.
Frankie later prepares to leave for dance school, excited for a whole new chapter of her life. JJ meanwhile, is ready to sign for his football club. As the clan heads off to the football stadium, Darren tells Nancy that he’s closing in on finding out what’s bothering Frankie.
Frankie struggles to get that out of her head throughout the rest of the day as the Osbornes return to the village – once again celebrating JJ at The Dog.
Downstairs, Darren finds Frankie alone and, in emotional scenes, he makes a breakthrough with his daughter, who opens up about how JJ has been sexually abusing her. How will he react?
Will JJ finally get his comeuppance?
One to watch: Thursday August 15 from 7:30pm on Channel 4 streaming or Friday August 16 at 7pm on E4.
