Jennifer Atkinson
Jennifer Atkinson (1990)
Kate Raison
Episodes: 623‒647
Parent: Cess Stewart
Marital Status: Daniel Atkinson (1982-1990, separated)
Occupation: Artist
The daughter of Gordon Stewart’s brother, Jennifer was first heard of hours before her arrival, when she contacted her cousin Alf to inform him she was returning to Summer Bay. It was a joyous reunion for Jennifer, who was greeted by her cousin and her ex-cousin in law Donald Fisher at the same time. Their reminiscing led Jennifer to confirm it had been eight years and two months since her wedding to Daniel, and thus that long since she’d been in the Bay. Later, when Alf asked after Jennifer, she was sharp in shutting him down.
Jennifer went for dinner with Fisher and Bobby and revealed that Daniel had a bad alcohol problem, which stemmed from his jealousy of her artistic abilities. When he was off the drink, he was the loveliest man, but when on it, he became violent. She revealed a bruise on her chest, which was the reason she fled, seeking solace in her hometown. After a few days in the bay, Jennifer found a house for rent right on the water. Despite Alf’s protests about the distance from town, Jennifer signed the lease. The following day, Jennifer startled Steven who had been out running, causing him to hit his head. She tended to his wound and the pair felt a spark.
Steven secretly continued to help Jennifer around her house, not wanting his family to know about their liaison, telling her that he was 19-years-old and a Tec student. He eventually took a photo of her out of one of her albums. However, when Ben popped around to see Jennifer, he caught Steven at the house and realised that there was something going on between the pair.
Jennifer found herself confronted by Alan Stone, a former friend who had been to university with her and Daniel. She was horrified when he kissed her against her will. Unbeknownst to them, Steven saw the kiss and was upset when he spoke to Jennifer about it. She urged him to control his jealousy so that they could continue their friendship. Following a session where Jennifer painted Steven, the pair were horsing around on the beach and fell over on the sand. Steven kissed Jennifer, which unbeknownst to them was witnessed by Alan. Jennifer was irate and stormed off. Steven apologised for the misstep, and the pair moved past it.
When out with Steven one day, Jennifer’s ex-husband Daniel, upon receiving a call from Alan, watched the pair from afar and then broke into her house. There, Daniel found the painting that Jennifer had completed of him during their marriage that portrayed him as a monster; one that her gallery curators had been after for some time. Upon her return, Jennifer found all her paintings slashed. Steven offered to stay with Jennifer to keep her safe, and the pair shared a passionate kiss.
After running into Daniel, Alf learnt that he wanted to speak to Jennifer about his behaviour. Reluctantly, she agreed and the pair met at Alf’s house. Despite Daniel’s pleas, Jennifer confirmed the end of their marriage. Daniel didn’t take this well, but Alf stepped in and asked him to leave. At the Stewart Store, Pippa ran into Jennifer and confronted her about their affair. When Pippa revealed that Steven was only 17-years-old, Jennifer ran off, mortified. When Steven went to see her, Jennifer blasted him for lying to her, worried what people might think of her. As the pressure became too much, Jennifer decided to leave town and when she spoke with Steven, she told him to go back to his family and school.
As Jennifer prepared to leave, she and Alf were approached by Steven, who had been hit over the head by Daniel. They rushed him to hospital, and then she left, unable to stand the thought of staying in Summer Bay and ruining more peoples’ lives. Following an eleventh hour plea from Pippa, Jennifer visited Steven to convince him to sit his HSC. When he asked her to stay in touch, she said she’d send a Christmas card. Alf took Jennifer to the bus stop, and bid her farewell as she headed off for a fresh start.
At Christmas, Jennifer kept her promise of sending Steven a Christmas card. He decided to go visit her in the city, but upon his arrival, he changed his mind.