Episode 574

Extended Summary

At the Fletcher house, Grant is keeping an eye on Christopher as Pippa finishes getting ready. He asks about rumours the caravans are being moved and Pippa confirms some residents will have to be relocated while they’re redecorated but says he won’t be affected. Ben and Steven are a bit annoyed about having the bucks’ party cancelled. Pippa gives them instructions for how to look after Christopher but Steven says Sophie can deal with it. Jane and Carly both enter, dressed up for the night out, and Ben and Grant don’t seem entirely comfortable with them going out without them. Jane is the designated driver. Pippa says Sophie knows where they are for if they need to contact them.

At the Diner, Ailsa gives Alf instructions for looking after the place in the kitchen. Alf is worried about his court appearance the following day despite Ailsa reassuring him everything will be fine. In the public area, a large group of Carly’s friends are waiting. Marilyn chats to Matt and Adam about the evening. They try to find out where they’re going and Marilyn mentions it’s at a big reception area with a disco before Bobby cuts in. The party leaves.

At the Sands, two young men, Peter and Ronnie, attempt to chat Carly and Jane up but Jane produces her badge and claims it’s a police convention, at which point they beat a hasty retreat. Meanwhile, Sophie has put Christopher down. Everyone is sitting around looking bored, since there’s nothing on television. Ben and Grant come up with the idea of playing pontoon and Ben goes to his van to get some cards. Sophie wants to play but Steven says they need her to keep an eye on Christopher and Grant doesn’t think she should be gambling.

Pippa worries slightly about Christopher but Ailsa reassures her. They discuss the negligee that Bobby has bought for Carly as a present. Pippa and Ailsa are amused that a couple of young men tried to chat them up. Carly, Bobby, Jane and Marilyn chat about how Carly is sure Ben is the one. Marilyn says she felt the same about Lance. Jane is puzzled since she thought Marilyn was single and Marilyn admits that he left her. At the Diner, Adam is disappointed they didn’t find out where the party is. He explains to Matt he wanted to send his friend Wild Willy down there to liven it up. Alf points out they’ve been nursing the same drinks for two hours and he’s closing up. He mentions the party is at the Sands. Adam looks delighted.

Steven, Ben and Grant are playing cards and Sophie comes over and joins them, telling them how she thinks they should play. Ben misses out on a five card stud and Grant wins the hand. Sophie thinks it’s dull because none of them are taking any chances. At the surf club, Adam and Matt are arranging for Willy to attend the party. Adam tries to convince Willy that Bobby will pay him but Willy wants $50 up front. Adam gives him $20 and Willy makes it clear he wants the rest afterwards. Adam is convinced he can get out of it but Matt tells him that if Willy doesn’t get him Carly will.

Marilyn comes back into the function room and tells Carly that two men tried to chat her up but now she’s remembered about Lance she doesn’t feel like it anymore. Jane is asking Pippa and Bobby about what Carly was like growing up. Pippa recalls she and Tom weren’t entirely sure Carly would turn out all right and becomes slightly emotional at the memories, having to go outside. Marilyn is continuing to witter to Carly in a depressing fashion so Carly excuses herself. She finds Pippa sitting in the corridor. Pippa recalls that she and Tom were always determined to make their marriage work. Carly thinks she and Ben are the same.

Sophie continues to give the guys advice, saying Ben gives too much away. Grant correctly guesses he has twenty. Grant gets pontoon. Steven complains Sophie’s putting them off so she asks to play. Grant still isn’t happy about gambling with one of his students but Sophie convinces him she won’t say anything. Grant says they should all give her $5 to use as a stake, thinking they’ll win it back. Sophie gives a rather detailed summary of the rules. After a few hands, Steven goes bust and decides he’s had enough for the night. Sophie gives him his $5 stake back and also pays Ben and Grant their money. Christopher starts crying and Ben tells Sophie to check on him. Sophie says Steven should go since she’s still playing and he isn’t. Ben reluctantly agrees.

Carly unwraps her present and is pleased with it. Willy arrives and manages to identify Carly. He turns on a tape deck and starts dancing and stripping. The girls are actually enjoying the show. Wearing only a loincloth, Willy dances close to Pippa, Bobby and Marilyn before pulling Carly to her feet and dancing with her. Bobby takes a photo of them together. Later, Ailsa tells Jane that Alf’s worried about the court case. Jane thinks the judge will go lightly on him and Ailsa makes it clear there’s no hard feelings. Pippa gets everyone’s attention and makes a short speech about how it’s good Carly’s in love before proposing a toast to her. Bobby wonders who booked the stripper and learns everyone thinks it was her.

Ben and Steven are both out of the game with only Sophie and Grant still playing. Sophie gets pontoon and cleans up the table. Grant reiterates no-one is to know about it. He asks her to help clean up but Sophie says it’s past her bedtime and heads upstairs. At the Sands, the party are leaving with Ailsa wondering why they don’t go out more often. The others point out various reasons, such as the lack of time and babysitters, and Ailsa tells Carly to stay independent. Bobby asks a waiter to take a photo of the group and she, Carly, Pippa, Ailsa, Marilyn and Jane pose for the camera.