Episode 489

Extended Summary

Ben and Grant wait outside the dance and, when Carly approaches, they pretend to start fighting each other, with Grant saying that Ben has been watching her all night. Carly shouts at them to stop and for Grant to leave Ben alone. Grant punches Ben in the face and knocks him down and Carly runs to his side, angrily berating Grant. Grant knowingly remarks that she isn’t supposed to care and helps Ben to his feet. Carly realises she’s been set up. Shortly after, Viv fills Emma in on what happened and Emma is pleased to know Grant isn’t interested in Carly. She goes over to him and tells him he should take her out. Grant seems uncomfortable and not very keen on the idea. Emma asks him if there’s a reason why they shouldn’t and, when he hesitates, says it’s sorted. She goes back to Viv and tells her Grant said yes. Nearby, Celia complains to Alf about Emma’s protest and asks him to punish her but Alf says she just said what she thought. Since none of the contestants will accept the prize, Celia has to announce the beauty contest is cancelled. At the counter, Bobby, Sophie, Marilyn and Viv celebrate. Adam and Dave realise they have to give the money from the book back, with Alf being quick to reclaim his bet.

Carly and Ben go for a walk on the beach. Ben explains Grant thought Carly liked him but was just being stubborn. Carly admits she does but says it doesn’t matter since Ben will be going back to the army and she isn’t interested in a part-time relationship whenever he’s on leave. Ben says that’s not what he’s after: He wants Carly to marry him. Tom is still up when Carly arrives home. She tells him she was with Ben. Tom is worried things are getting too serious when Ben’s leaving but Carly says he’s leaving the army and moving to Summer Bay. She also tells him he’s asked her to marry him and she hasn’t given him an answer yet. Tom asks if she loves him and Carly says she’ll have to think about it. Next morning, Ben turns up at the house while Carly’s in her dressing gown. She invites him to stay for breakfast and confirms she told Tom about the proposal. Ben asks if there’s a chance of her accepting and she indicates there is.

At the store, Celia is complaining to Andrew that the dance was a disaster, with the frog contest and the beauty pageant, although Alf disagrees with her assessment. Fisher comes in as Andrew is leaving and Andrew says he’ll see him in the morning for the first day of term. Fisher seems perturbed by the remark but Celia grabs him to complain about Emma’s behaviour, saying she shouldn’t have entered the beauty pageant if she found it objectionable. Fisher quickly cuts her short, saying he needs to get after Andrew. Ben and Carly are relaxing on the beach, but Carly has to head off to work. She asks Ben if he’s sure about leaving the army, since she doesn’t want him to do it because of her. Ben assures her he’d had enough and he’ll work out what he’s going to do for work. At the caravan park, Lance, Martin and Marilyn are having a barbeque and chatting about the frog contest when Carly and Ben arrive back. They invite them to join them. Carly can’t because of work but persuades Ben to stay with them.

At the Diner, Andrew chats to Ailsa and Carly about how much he’s looking forward to the new school year. Fisher turns up, having been looking for Andrew, and takes him over to a cubicle for a private chat. He says there’s been a bureaucratic mistake, the Department have told Fisher there’s a new teacher starting and he thought they’d have told Andrew as well: The new teacher is his replacement. Andrew explains to Carly and Ailsa he was only employed on a casual basis but thought it would be a permanent position. He admits he’s no idea what to do.

Tom goes to see Ben in his caravan and tells him Carly’s old enough to look after herself but he’s worried it’s very sudden and wonders if it’s a holiday romance that they’re going to regret. Ben says he knows how he feels and he’s not going to hurt her. Tom accepts his word and says it’s up to Carly now. At the Diner, Carly tells Ailsa about the proposal. She admits she’s worried about it not working out. Ailsa asks if she loves him and Carly says she thinks she does; she feels something for him that she’s never felt for anyone else. Ben arrives to collect her and tells her he’s agreed to show Lance and Martin some tanks.

Ben drives Carly, Lance, Martin and Marilyn to a field where a tank is parked. The boys ask him to take them for a spin but Ben says he can’t do that, although he does let them have a look inside. Lance and Martin clamber over the tank while Marilyn goes back to the car, looking bored. Ben and Carly go for a walk and she tells him she’s still thinking. Tom arrives at the store as Celia is heading off to get some flowers for the church service. Alf notes Tom looks worried and Tom tells him about Ben proposing. Alf says he should be grateful it’s not Dave but Tom is more worried about Carly than Ben, thinking she’s been down that road before. He isn’t going to tell Pippa until Carly makes a decision. Alf remarks that whatever he tells her she’ll do the opposite.

Lance and Martin continue to explore the tank while Ben, Carly and Marilyn stand nearby. Celia comes past on her bicycle and wonders if it’s wise to let Martin touch the controls. Ben tells them to come down but Martin is still wondering how it works. He accidentally starts the tank and runs over Celia’s bike before bringing it to a halt. Celia is furious and Martin hides back in the tank. Carly tells Ben he’ll have to cope with living near them once they’re married. Ben realises what she’s saying and hugs and kisses her in delight.