Sophie arrives in Summer Bay with her father Al and continues her shoplifting ways but realises Al is only interested in her, as she is able to get him money. Al is later arrested for the murder of Shane Wilson, whom he killed eight years prior and Sophie then is fostered by Tom (Roger Oakley) and Pippa Fletcher (Vanessa Downing). Sophie becomes fast friends with Tom and Pippa's adoptive daughter Sally (Kate Ritchie). Pippa discovers that Sophie is illiterate and the family help her catch up with her education and receives extra help from newly arrived schoolteacher Grant Mitchell (Craig McLachlan).