Episode 578

Extended Summary

At the caravan park house, Pippa isn’t entirely convinced by what Ailsa’s told her. Sally comes running in with Dag Dog and Pippa snaps at her so she leaves them alone. Upstairs, Carly is trying to convince Steven to help her with her Italian. Sally and Dag Dog come in and Carly sends them out as well, despite Sally pointing out it’s her bedroom. Steven persuades her to make a grovelling apology and give him $20 before he agrees. Downstairs, Pippa still isn’t certain but Ailsa sticks to her guns, saying Don’s fumbling behaviour when she found him with the car tipped her off and it explains his attentiveness. She points out that Don’s been on his own for a while before realising she’s being tactless. She doesn’t think Don’s making a conscious play for her but does think his attitude has changed. Although Pippa disagrees, she appreciates the warning.

Don asks Bobby’s advice on which tie he should wear. She doesn’t know why he’s going to so much effort, thinking he should be casual. She asks to go with them, saying she doesn’t fancy cooking. Although he doesn’t seem happy with the idea, Don agrees. Bobby notices he’s had a haircut and changes her mind, saying she’ll stay in. Don again tries to hide his true feelings as he makes sure that’s what she wants. Meanwhile, Steven is giving Carly tips about the phonetic nature of Italian and how letters always sound the same but Carly doesn’t really understand. Sally and Sophie come in and Carly brings the lesson to a halt since it’s meant to be a surprise. Pippa comes down and asks their opinion on two fairly plain and mumsy dresses. Carly takes her upstairs to help her get ready. Sophie jokes about Pippa fancying Don. Steven snaps at her, saying Pippa would never be interested in someone so soon after Tom and she shouldn’t joke about it, before storming out.

Carly takes Pippa into her room to improve her hair for the date. Pippa admits Ailsa’s theory about Don being interested in her. Carly is amused by the idea. Pippa thinks Don’s a nice man but explains that’s why she’s wearing a more conservative dress. She says she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings or give him the wrong idea. Steven goes round to see Bobby to ask for some HSC notes. Don comes through and Steven makes a sullen remark about Pippa being impressed by the effort he’s gone to. After Don’s gone, Bobby asks Steven what’s going on. Steven thinks Don’s after Pippa and says he’ll never be Tom. Bobby disagrees, saying Don’s just trying to pay Pippa back for her and Tom looking after her.

Steven gets back to the house where Carly chides him for disappearing, saying she needs his help. Steven is still in a sullen mood, especially when Sally and Sophie reveal Carly wants them to clean the house; he says Pippa does all right and it doesn’t need cleaning. Carly wants things to look nice for Ben’s family though and tells Steven to keep an eye on dinner while she goes to get Ben. She heads to his caravan where she complains about Steven’s behaviour. She tells him to come to the house but Ben points out they won’t have much time alone once his family arrives so cuddles up to her and kisses her.

At the Diner, Ailsa wonders why Bobby’s come in on her night off. Bobby tells her what Steven said about Don and realises Ailsa agrees. Bobby admits that she thinks it’s true as well, despite what she said to Steven, but doesn’t think it’s that big a deal, despite Ailsa warning that Don will get hurt.

Sally and Sophie are playing Scrabble when Carly arrives back at the house. She realises that the meal is burnt and berates Steven, who had gone to the toilet. Steven protests Sally and Sophie should have noticed and, as they argue about it, Ben arrives with his family-father Antonio, mother Gina and sister Francesca-explaining they decided to come straight there instead of spending the night in the city and haven’t eaten. Carly apologises for the ruined food and attempts to impress them with her Italian phrases but says “Buon journo” (“Good day”) when it’s night time and forgets how to say my house is your house. Sally tries to defend Carly’s cooking by saying she was in Ben’s caravan. Carly is mortified and runs upstairs. Gina tells Ben to deal with her while she sorts out dinner. Francesca makes a point of introducing herself to Steven.

Carly is crying on the bed when Ben comes up. Carly is upset that her plans to impress Ben’s parents have gone wrong and thinks Gina hates her. Antonio comes in and says it was their fault for turning up unannounced but Gina was keen to meet her. He apologises for upsetting her and persuades her to come downstairs. Shortly after, Gina has made a large meal for the family, piling up Sophie’s plate with spaghetti. Pippa and Don arrive back and Ben introduces Pippa to his family. Don makes himself scarce as Gina directs everyone to sit down to eat, calling them one big family.

Next morning, Pippa and Carly are doing the washing up. Carly asks how dinner went and Pippa says Donald was a perfect gentleman. Gina comes in and takes over from Carly so she can talk to Pippa in private, saying she thinks Carly is perfect for Ben. She hopes they will give her a lot of grandchildren since Francesca shows no interest in boys. Meanwhile, Francesca surprises Steven outside a caravan and asks him to show her around. Steven says he’s busy fixing the vans so Francesca asks to stay and watch him. When Steven says his girlfriend moved away, Francesca is delighted and plants a kiss on him. Shocked, Steven pulls away, unaware Sophie has seen them.