Alf then hands out Irene’s letters as she announces she’s off, but wants everyone to carry on partying.

When Irene arrives, she’s struck by the effort that everyone’s gone to—a grand cake, a fully stocked mocktail bar, and Marilyn with her tarot cards lined up for a final reading to send Irene on her way.

Irene’s quick to notice John’s absence, and Leah covers by saying he’ll be there shortly.

But as Irene sits down for her reading with Marilyn, Justin and Leah worry about John—if he’s not there, Irene will be heartbroken.

Theo arrives at the party with his guitar, but Justin intercepts him, asking him to start without him as he needs to find John. While Theo sets up, Leah, Alf and Marilyn field Irene’s questions about where John has got to.

As Irene’s time in the bay draws to an end, she quietly asks Alf to hold on to some letters for her, to be handed out to everyone once she’s left.

At that point, the time has finally come. Irene thanks the guests for the send-off but explains it’s time for her to go, encouraging them all to stay and enjoy themselves.

Leah and Marilyn take turns to give Irene a tearful hug, saying a fond farewell to one of their oldest friends.

It all begins to get too much for John as he turns to leave, but Irene cottons on immediately, as she collars him and asks him to walk with her for a moment.

As the two head off, Summer Bay waves goodbye as Irene blows everyone a kiss.

John struggles to find the words when alone with Irene, but she then throws him off guard by presenting him with a plane ticket to Paris.  As a parting gift, Irene hands John tickets to meet her in Paris, promising this isn’t goodbye.

With John having previously told Irene it was a dream to have coffee in Paris, Irene instructs him to meet her under the Eiffel Tower in a few weeks’ time.

“So you see, it’s not goodbye… it’s au revoir,” Irene gently tells him.

Choked up, John tells Irene that he’ll be there come hell or high water, as Irene heads back to the Beach House for the last time.