Episode 478

Extended Summary

Viv is in tears at home as Fisher tries to comfort her, saying the halfway house is only an interim measure and things could change after the court case. Viv isn’t reassured, saying she could be anywhere by then. She angrily accuses him of lying to her when he said no-one would take her away and storms out. Meanwhile, Lance and Marilyn are setting up the hot dog stand. Lance thinks they should set Martin up with another girl to help him over Greta and says he knows someone perfect, Rhonda. Marilyn is annoyed at him singing her praises, since she knows Rhonda’s his ex-girlfriend. Lance pretends they were just friends and Marilyn agrees on condition she stays away from Lance.

At the Diner, Viv is telling Bobby and Emma what’s going on. She feels bad about what she said to Fisher and wants to stay but Fisher seems to have given up. Bobby offers to talk to him. At the counter, Ailsa fills Celia in on what’s happening. Emma comes over and asks if Viv can stay with them but Ailsa says it’s not that simple. Celia wonders if Steven knows and Ailsa recalls he’s in the city with Tom. Bobby goes home and talks to Fisher, who knows that Viv didn’t mean what she said but doesn’t think there’s anything they can do, Welfare won’t listen to him. Bobby thinks if he tries at least Viv will know he cares but accepts Fisher’s insistence that he does care.

Steven arrives at the store and chats to Alf about Pippa and Coral, saying it won’t be long before Pippa’s home. When he’s out of sight around the corner, Celia arrives and asks Alf if he knows about Viv. Steven asks what she’s talking about. Celia tells him Viv’s being sent to a halfway house in the city. Steven joins Viv and Emma at the Diner, all of them despondent about things. Ailsa brings some drinks over and apologises to Viv for not being able to help. Steven knows Welfare wouldn’t let Viv stay with Alf and Ailsa without their being approved and says she can’t stay with his family because they don’t like couples living together and Tom won’t lie.

Rhonda arrives at the stand and ignores Marilyn’s attempts to engage her in conversation, saying she’s there for Lance. She tells him she got his call. Lance asks her if she wants a date that night and Rhonda happily agrees. Lance thinks everything’s sorted but Marilyn points out Rhonda thinks she’s going on a date with him. Lance explains it’s Martin. Rhonda doesn’t seem too keen but agrees when Lance says he’s always been keen on her. Meanwhile, Martin phones Jenny at her hotel and asks if he can come over. Jenny says Kathy and Mary Lee will be back soon. Martin suggests they meet at the disco instead but Jenny wants to come round his. Martin agrees, saying she should come over at eight.

Steven and Viv are walking and wondering if there’s another way for her to stay in Summer Bay. Steven thinks there is someone she can stay with and drags her to the store, where they ask Celia if she’ll look after Viv. Alf doesn’t think it’s a good idea, saying Celia’s too set in her ways and reminding her what happened when Craig Barnett stayed with her. Celia however agrees to help. Meanwhile, Marilyn is worrying they might not have done the right thing but Lance is more worried about making sure Martin’s at home. Martin turns up and Lance tells him he shouldn’t spend the night on the beach and should stay at home instead. Martin readily agrees, especially when Lance and Marilyn say they’ll go out. At the store, Celia is having a heated phone call with Welfare, since she isn’t happy about them doing a check on her. Alf tells her it’s only to be expected. Celia tells Steven and Viv the check will take a month, so there’s nothing she can do to help them.

Martin is setting up for his date: lighting candles, putting on music, champagne in an ice bucket. However, he is shocked when Rhonda turns up. He tells her Lance is out but she says she’s there to see him. Martin looks scared. Lance and Marilyn are eating at the Diner when Andrew comes over to them. Lance blames him for telling Martin to stay off work. Andrew says he can’t divulge the contents of a confidential counselling session but if he had a hypothetical friend who resembled Martin, that friend should get back to work. Martin is trying to get rid of Rhonda but she kisses him just as Jenny walks in. Martin tries to explain but Jenny slaps him and storms out. Rhonda goes one better, punching him in the groin just as Lance and Marilyn get back. Rhonda tells them about Jenny and storms off.

Steven turns up at Viv’s place, saying he saw Fisher leave. Viv says Bobby’s at the gym. Steven says the only way they can be together is to leave town and tells her to pack. Soon after, Steven and Viv are walking along the road, laden down with bags and backpacks. They flag down a car and it drives them out of town…