As Ben received the Vending Machine letter, the HMs guessed there would be care packages available for purchase. “I reckon there’ll only be enough for two,” deduced Alice. “It will be Ben and Travis,” Terri said, citing she received a letter from Joe last week. “No,” rebutted Travis in an effort to console her desire for a message. Rory wasn’t fussed about getting a package because he knew how much it meant to the others and he had just received one following the Dance Challenge.
“I reckon you should rock off for it then,” suggested Alice of how to solve the problem. But then she admitted, “Travy you’ve honestly been going on it about it so much since Saturday it’s driven me up the wall.” Travis agreed he had wanted to win the package in the dance off.
Ben read the letter and confirmed their suspicions - HMs could chose two packages only. There was also a description of what was in each care package, and Terri’s jaw dropped when she discovered the parcel had a present from her grandson, Dawson. Travis collapsed on the couch when Ben told him the package had his dog’s collars in it.
Terri was adamant Travis receive the package as she already had a message from Joe, and Travis had been talking non stop about missing his animals. “Travy, you’ve got to get yours,” Terri consoled.
“Tez, I was thinking myself and Travy just because of the letter that you got last week,” Ben tentatively suggested. Travis said he was happy to rock off but Alice threw the decision back to Ben as Head of House. “Yeah sorry Terri,” Ben said gently, and admitted he would be choosing himself and Travis to get the parcels from home.
Travis was over the moon at the thought of receiving his care package. Terri laughed that he was so excited about getting dog’s collars. “I’ll be wearing it,” Travis said of the collars.
Ben was called to the vending machine and returned with notes in hand. “Yay,” Travis screamed and ran up and hugged the Head of House. “I think I’m almost going to cry now without even seeing my stuff,” Travis admitted. “I’m sorry Mum and Dad, I’m going for the collars first,” Travis said happily.
Ben and Travis collected their packages from BB. “What does it mean to get something from home?” questioned BB. “The sort of feeling that you get when you get something from Home at this stage of the game is priceless,” Ben replied. Travis was smiling from ear to ear and making faces at BB. “Knowing that Millsy and Coco’s collars are in there … it will be crazy,” gushed Travis.
Travis couldn’t thank Ben enough as he emerged form the DR with his precious brown paper care package in hand. Travis screamed with delight as he found his beloved animal’s collars. “Coco, Coco!” Travis rejoiced. Travis and Ben sorted through their photos with delight, explaining each picture to the other HMs and relishing the small contact with home. “Oh this is so good,” Travis celebrated. “I got so many lollies!” he laughed.
Ben began to tear up as he gazed at the photos of his loved ones. His bottom lip quivered and a tear ran down his face as he read the letter from his family. HMs gave him some time alone and gathered around Travis, gushing about all his gifts and pictures.
But then Travis too turned on the waterworks and began furiously rubbing his eyes. “Oh Trav, you right mate?” Rory consoled giving him a hug.
Terri tried to put on a brave face, but she struggled not to break down in tears at being so close to getting in touch with the people she had been missing so much. She retreated to the bathroom. Terri tried to compose herself, washing her face and trying to hold back the tears.
Alice realized Terri was missing and ventured inside to check how the Nanna was holding up. As Alice embraced Terri, she could hold back no more and the tears came crashing through the flood gates. “Travis deserved it just as much as anyone else,” Terri tried to reason with herself. “I didn’t want to cry,” Terri said to Alice, her voice shaking with emotion. She said she felt silly, knowing she’d see her loved ones soon - but couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Terri explained why she couldn’t watch the boys open their care packages and was hiding out in the bathroom. “I don’t want to be crying in front of Travis and make him feel bad, that’s why I came in here,” she uncovered. “I want to be happy for Travis,” Terri admitted, as she wiped her face.
Outside HMs were getting emotional over the messages but after the letters were read, their hearts went out to Terri who really wanted to hear from her family.
“God I feel for Terri right now,” Ben said rubbing his eyes, and the rest of the HMs nodded somberly in agreement.
Last night, Terri was given the chance to get her treasured care package… but something happened to thwart her chance.
