Episode 534

Extended Summary

Pippa and Steven come out of the front of the Fletcher house. Steven asks Pippa why she changed her mind and she says they had to make a decision. Steven asks if it was because of him and Pippa replies she did it for herself; she isn’t ready for a wedding because she needs more time thinking about Tom. Inside, Carly complains to Ben they’ll lose their motel deposit but Ben points out the wedding’s just postponed and they’ll just need to ring people and rearrange things. Carly blames Steven but Ben tells her they should have called the wedding off in the first place. Carly points out that’s what she was going to do and everyone told her not to but Ben says they shouldn’t have listened. Carly is relieved it’s over and she doesn’t have to deal with the whole house hating her anymore. Ben suggests not everyone hated her and they kiss and hug.

Grant and Paul are getting on well at the Diner. Ailsa comments on it and remarks on Bobby giving Grant a serve earlier. Bobby stands by what she said, saying Grant’s there to teach the students, not run their lives. Ailsa takes her point, wondering if that’s where she went wrong with Emma. Bobby tells her Emma will be back but Ailsa hopes she isn’t, since she wants her to be happy. Paul still isn’t sure that he can make a career in the music industry, since his dad never did, but Grant assures him there are more opportunities now. He’s spoken to the music teacher about it and they both think Paul can write his own material with the right training. When Paul gets home, Lorraine is counting out money, noting they can’t pay the bills because they need the money for the rent. Paul suggests an extra $40 a week might help out but Lorraine refuses to let him get a job, saying he needs to study or he’ll be stuck in their life forever.

Pippa and Steven come back into the house and Ben takes Pippa upstairs to show her the start he’s made on the painting. Steven asks Carly if she sees him as the enemy. Carly says she’s disappointed about the wedding being postponed and having to wait longer to be with Ben but she understands Steven’s point of view. They seal their truce with a hug. Later, Carly and Ben go for a walk. She accepts that they only have to wait six weeks but is worried Ben will get fed up of waiting. He assures her he won’t. When they get home, Carly finds Pippa asleep on the sofa. She tells her she’s going to make lunch and that she and Ben are giving Pippa a week off. She admits her fears that Ben would leave and apologises for being selfish. Pippa tells her she’ll need to apologise to Steven and is surprised when she reveals she already has.

Lorraine is getting ready to head out to her second shift at the TAB and reminds Paul to pick up Mullet from Cubs. Paul is unhappy about her having to do so much work and not letting him help out. He says that she’d be better off if he left home. Lorraine hits him and instantly regrets it, agreeing to him taking the job. Later, Paul is practising piano at the surf club while Grant lifts weights nearby in time to the music. Paul keeps increasing the tempo until eventually Grant collapses exhausted.

Ailsa and Bobby see the last customers out of the Diner before Steven and Viv arrive to help deliver flyers for Bobby’s election campaign. Ailsa gives them all details of the areas they’ll have to cover and warns them not to deface any of Alf’s posters while they’re out. She gives them a list of Bobby’s policies in case anyone wants to discuss them and reminds them not to be rude about Alf’s ideas. She then realises she’s still got Alf’s dinner in the oven and explains he’s started late night opening at the store. Bobby offers to take it over. At the store, Alf is telling a customer about the progress the town has made, improving roads and getting its own fire brigade to deal with bush fires, and how the development is the next stage. Bobby arrives and retorts that his “concrete jungle” is being built on the sports field. Both she and Alf try to get the man to vote for them until he reveals that he doesn’t live there, he’s just staying at the caravan park, and he doesn’t think it’ll be such a nice holiday spot if the development goes ahead. After Bobby and the camper have left, Lorraine arrives and thanks Alf for giving Paul a job. She is stunned when he mentions Paul’s saving for a piano.

Lorraine goes and finds Paul at the surf club, angry with him for making out he was getting the job to help out around the house when he was planning to get a piano. Grant tries to intercede but Lorraine already knows about his part in things and isn’t happy, telling him to stay away from them. She and Paul go home where Lorraine complains about how his father kept on chasing after impossible dreams and ruined their family. Paul says she’s talking as if no-one ever achieves their dreams but Lorraine says most of them don’t. Paul suggests that maybe his father just didn’t have what it takes and he does.

Next morning, Paul thanks Grant for his help but says he’s been dealing with Lorraine for years and there’s no point in trying to talk her round. He apologises for what Lorraine said to Grant. Grant offers to talk to her but Paul says he has to look after her. Meanwhile, Alf and Ailsa are arriving at the store. Alf is trying to get Ailsa to tell him when Bobby’s launch date is but Ailsa refuses so Alf tells her not to blame him if they clash. They find someone has put Bobby’s campaign posters all over the door of the store.

Steven and Viv are planning out their delivery route at Donald’s house. Meanwhile, Tammy is walking along a roadside. She finds a call box and calls Viv, telling her she’s on her way there. She asks if their father has been looking for her and Viv says he hasn’t been there but doesn’t tell her about the police, since she doesn’t want to scare her off. She asks Tammy where she is but Tammy’s money is running out and they get cut off before she can put any more in. A worried Viv tells Steven she could be anywhere. Tammy sits by the roadside crying.