Pippa and Michael deal with a family crisis.
DALE ROSS (OLIVIA ALFONZETTI)
Final episode. Was found dead and lifeless by Pippa, a victim of cot-death.
Extended Summary
Damian’s finding out how expensive food is, as he starts on his build-up diet, having just bought a big T-bone steak but Fin is annoyed with his selfishness. Pippa goes upstairs to check on baby Dale, as he argues with Fin about doing nothing wrong but as she points out, Pippa and Michael are strapped for cash and that’s why they are cutting out the expensive food, like steaks. Michael comes in, as the two of them carry on and he asks what’s the matter. Fin tells him to ask Damian and she walks out.
At the Stewarts, Tug is finding it boring watching Sarah and Shane practicing their lines and she gets annoyed when he interrupts them because he wants to go to the Diner. She stands firm about continuing and it doesn’t help when Shane jumps at the opportunity to wind Tug up and suggest they go onto the next scene, where they kiss. Tug objects because he can’t see why they have to practice that, but Shane rubs it in by saying it’s a slow, long, kiss and they have to get it right and Sarah agrees. Tug can’t take anymore and he leaves them to it and Shane is delighted to have put one over his enemy but Sarah’s too blind to pick up on it. As far as she’s concerned, Tug’s just jealous. At the Diner, Tug moans to Bobby if Sarah hadn’t been there, he would have punched Shane’s lights out, to which Bobby says fighting with Shane will only results in trouble for him. She tries to reason with him that if he carries on like he is, he’ll end up losing Sarah! Damian comes in and joins Angel and when she asks if she can borrow some money so she can get something to eat, he tells her he hasn’t got much because he didn’t realise how expensive food was. She says it doesn’t matter and she would ask Bobby for credit but she would probably start on at her to go to school. Damian gives her what money he’s got, because she did try to help him at the Chip Shop the other day. She thanks him and suggest she join him in her car-washing business which she’s starting the next day, when she gets her permit. She points out the more cars they do, the more money they’ll earn and he nods in agreement.
As Michael and Pippa prepare to go to bed, he’s worried that the problems with the Boat Shed and coping with the baby is beginning to take it’s toll on her. When he tells her he has a plan to make the kiosk make more money for them, she’s concerned that they could go further into debt! He convinces her it will work and she agrees to let him go ahead. Next morning, Damian’s plan to help Angel with her car-washing venture is squashed, when Michael tells him he’s got to help him down at the kiosk for the next few day.
At Fisher’s house, Adam and Shane prepare to go out to sell the encyclopaedias again and Shane can’t wait to sell the two sets, so that he can pack it in. As they leave, Adam tells him, to let him do all the talking because he’s not in the right frame of mind! Fifteen calls later and not one sale between them, Adam refuses to be beaten and spies another potential customer working in his front garden. He makes a beeline for him, with Shane following in his footsteps. The man soon has them beating a hasty retreat when he tells them his dog saw off another man selling encyclopaedias, the previous week!
Tug goes over to see Sarah because he wants to spend more time with her but he comes a lowly fourth in her list of priorities – first she has to help Ailsa, then she’s got her homework to do and then she’s got rehearsals. He gets angry again and walks out, ignoring her calling out to him. She goes over to the Diner and tells Bobby about her bust-up with Tug. Bobby tells her that she has to understand what he’s going through – his Dad’s in prison and has no family to speak of – she’s all he’s got. Angel interrupts to ask Bobby if she’s seen Damian but she hasn’t. Bobby then tells Sarah to be patient with Tug because he’ll come good in the end but Sarah tells her she’s got an idea to that will stop Tug being so clingy! Tug comes in and they apologise to each other and she tells him she wants to talk to him. She tells him she thinks he should go and see his Dad in prison because he’s family and she’s not. He takes it completely the wrong way and assumes she wants to dump him. He gets angry again and tells her to work out what she wants and says he’ll be at the store, working. He leaves and Sarah sits down, dejected. As Fin walks in, Angel asks her if she knows where Damian is and when Fin tells her, he’s helping Michael at the kiosk, she’s furious because he’s was supposed to be helping her clean cars. Angel leaves and Fin gives Bobby the baking that Pippa’s done and when Bobby asks how things are at home, Fin replies that it’s tense. She tells her that Pippa’s very tetchy and puts it down to the worries of the Boat Shed and looking after a newborn baby, so Bobby suggests going over to see Pippa after work.
Over at the Surf Club, Angel finds Damian and has a go at him for not letting her know he can’t help her. He apologises and says Michael gave him no choice but she blames him for losing business and she storms out as Michael comes in, wanting to know what’s taking Damian so long to mix the paint. When Damian shows his annoyance, Michael has a go at him over his attitude and says while things are rough, they’ve all got to pull together. Later on, Fin arrives with lunch and Michael takes his outside because Damian’s still sulking. Fin has a go at him when he starts moaning about not being able to do his own thing – earn money, helping Angel. She tells him she’s ashamed of him and leaves.
Meanwhile, Adam and Shane are still looking for their first sale of the day and Adam persuades a Mum with three young kids to let them in, to talk about ‘learning aids’ for kids. Adam does a good job and convinces the woman to sign on the dotted line but Shane’s not happy, because it looks like she’s not got two pennies to rub together. As she’s about to sign, Shane spells out exactly how much it will really cost her and she refuses to sign the contract. Adam’s furious and when they leave the house, Adam has a go at Shane for what he did. Shane tells him he was trying to rip off the poor woman and if that’s what being a salesman is all about, then he’s not interested. All Adam can see, is, he almost got a sale but Shane ruined it.
Pippa’s attending to baby Dale when Bobby comes over. She puts Dale in his basket and they go downstairs to have a cup of tea. Bobby tells her she’s looking tired and thinks she’s doing too much and that maybe she should easy up on the baking but Pippa says they need the money, so it’s not an option. She agrees she is tired but until they know what’s going to happen to the Boat Shed, any extra income, is a help. All Bobby can suggest is, if she feels like a break for a few hours, just give her a call and Pippa thanks her but says she’s okay for now.
Sarah goes to the store to see Tug and tries to explain why she thinks he should see his Dad. He tells her he has already tried, by writing to him and trying to phone him but his Dad refuses to have anything to do with him. She still thinks he should go and see him, so he agrees but on one condition – she’s goes with him. She stunned!
Bobby comes downstairs after checking on baby Dale and tells Pippa he’s dead to the world and she’s going but if she needs anything, let her know. Pippa thanks her and comments that it’s strange Dale’s not screaming out for his feed. Outside, Bobby meets Fin and tells her that, apart from Pippa being tired, she seems okay. As they walk to her car, Pippa goes upstairs to check on Dale.
It ends with Bobby just about to get into her car when Pippa screams for her and she and Fin rush into the house…
Avril M Harrison