UK Air Date: 27th July 1999
News of Vinnie’s condition spreads throughout the Bay and he’s very embarrassed. When the Collins baby dies, Justine charged is raised to manslaughter. Tom volunteers to help her do a runner.
Extended Summary
Chloe visits the hospital to discuss with James about his home surgery plans where she meets Sally. As Sally tries to make up an excuse, Vinnie calls out from his hospital room. Chloe asks why Vinnie is in the hospital. Sally goes into Vinnie’s room and explains the situation and tells Vinnie that he shouldn’t keep his friends in the dark and that he needs them around him now. James convinces Vinnie that Chloe won’t think any less of him because of what’s happening to him. Vinnie relents and invites her in. When Chloe asks how he is, Vinnie says that he’s not the man he used to be. Later, James explains about the possible treatments depending on the test results – radiation and chemotherapy. Vinnie suddenly realises how serious his condition is. Privately with Sally, Vinnie admits that the whole thing is a blessing in disguise because he really didn’t think anyone would care about him.
Tom finds Justine studying, trying to keep her mind off the child abuse charges, but unable to concentrate. Justine admits that she has thought about doing a runner if things turned out badly. Later, Joel informs Justine that the Collins baby has died and escorts her out of school. Joel, Travis and Rebecca bring Justine home, and Joel and Travis discuss the increase in Justine’s bail money because of the charge being changed to manslaughter. As they all discuss Justine’s future, Tom is disgusted with the tone of the conversation, as everyone is speaking like Justine’s guilty. Later Tom offers to help Justine get out of Summer Bay using his motorbike.
After Peta’s apology, Will invites her out. Will and Peta go to the diner, only to find Sam and Hayley spying. They then go for a walk. Will admits that he likes Peta who is pleased. Will invites Peta back home after school, but is disappointed to find Hayley and Sam there. Sam realises that Will wants time alone and takes Hayley off to Fisher’s place. Will then gives Peta a guided tour of the house and shows her his room. As Will and Peta talk, Irene continually interrupts them with stupid excuses. Will makes a deal with Irene to keep the bedroom door open if she’ll give them some peace.
Chloe has a chat with Irene about James’s proposal to establish a surgery at their house and to have her work as a receptionist. Chloe is concerned that James will read her refusal to work with him as a rejection. Irene asks Chloe how she’ll fit her study in. Irene then tells Chloe that she has to talk to James and tell him she needs the space she gets being at the diner and going to university. When James returns home from the hospital, Chloe admits that she doesn’t want to work as his receptionist. Chloe thinks the surgery is a good idea, but she likes working at the diner and also wants to concentrate on uni. James says that’s fine with him that he will support whatever decision she makes 100 per cent.
Jenny Gray, 1999
Guest Cast
PETA JANOSSI (ALEEZTA WOOD)
NURSE (ANN HUNTER)
