Woman_s Day Australia - 14 March 2016_

for Jess,” says another

friend. “He hasn’t starte

dating again, but Jess ha

been on a few dates, and

head is in a diff erent pla

“If they can learn to be

Jess will be happy with t

Th e actress bravely rev

that she suff ered from m

illness before the break-

friends were concerned

agonising separation fro

daughter in the early day

split could break her heart.

“Both of them are focusing on

work, and

on getting

healthy,” a

source tells.

“Jess is a

lot less fragile

than she was

at the start.

Overcoming

her mental health issues is an

ongoing battle, but she’s working

on it. She’s in Perth with her mum

and her sister at the moment.”

“Jess was very vulnerable and

fragile in the fi rst few months but

she’s far happier after being able

to spend a lot of

time with Scout since

Christmas,” oneLove

Child source says.

“She is also far more

relaxed now everything

is sorted with James.”

United again

Jess will relocate to

Melbourne next month

to begin filming new

Channel Ten dramaThe

Wrong Girlwith Asher

Keddie. In the meantime

she has been relishing

having one-on-one time

with Scout and spending

time with her mum

Karen and younger

BACKJESS!

One of James’s friends on the

Home and Away set agrees that

the actor still held out a hope of

one day reconciling with Jess,

which is why he off ered an olive

branch to his former fi ancee.

Friends say both Jess, 31, and

James have made peace after the

initial pain of their split.

“Th ey’re in a much better place

now and they’ve sorted through

everything with Scout. Th ey’ve

agreed to share her care pretty

much equally,” he says.

While there’s no doubt James

still has strong

feelings for

Jess, the jury

is out as to

whether she

feels the same.

“He loves

her to bits still

• but it’s come
  too late for Jess,” reveals a friend.
  “James is thankful they’re both
  now at a good place in their new
  relationship, but Jess has moved
  on. I don’t think she would want
  to ride that rollercoaster again.”
  “He defi nitely still holds a torch

‘There’s no anger

left in him, he’d like

nothing more than a

loving relationship

with Jess again’

February 2014,

performing in

stage play Cosi

together.

By May 2015, the happy

family was in turmoil.

artfelt plea

When it all fell apart

On stage together

With their good

looks and talent,

the pair made a

formidable couple.

WD 15

Revealing

messages

James has landed a

gig playing one of

three brothers on

Home and Away.