Episode 2618

Australian Air Date: 19th May 1999
UK Air Date: 13th July 1999
Cat No: HAW3-738

Will tells Ken to never contact him or Hayley again. Justine’s babysitting job ends in tragedy. Ailsa brings in a mediator for Alf and Duncan.

Extended Summary

Irene goes to the hospital to visit Ken and she explains the kids’ absence. Irene then asks Ken if he was trying to kill himself. Ken denies that he was trying to kill himself. Irene tries to get Will and Hayley to give Ken one last chance to visit him. Will is still opposed to visiting Ken or giving him another chance. Hayley agrees with Will. Later, Will visits Ken at the hospital. He tells his father to leave Summer Bay and never to contact Hayley and him again. Later Irene tells Will that she’s glad her own kids gave her more of a chance than he’s giving Ken.

Mrs Collins asks Justine if she will baby-sit Ruby. Justine is surprised that the Collinses would like her to sit, considering the fall Ruby had. Mrs Collins insists that there was no harm done. When Justine arrives at the Collins house, the baby is crying and Mr Collins is very tense. Later, Justine discovers that the Collins baby is covered with bruises and phones James. James, however, is at work and Justine decides not to leave a message with Chloe. When the Collinses return from their night out, Justine asks them about the bruises on the baby. Mrs Collins is short with Justine and quickly shows her the door. When the baby begins to cry insistently, Mr Collins marches off to quiet the child down once and for all. Soon after, a panic-stricken Mr and Mrs Collins rush into the hospital with their unmoving child. When James asks her for an explanation of what happened, Mrs Collins suggests that Justine hurt the baby. Terri arrives at the Caravan Park on official police business and tells Justine that the child is in a coma and it looks like shaken baby syndrome. She indicates that Justine will need to have an adult present to answer questions about the Collins baby. Justine recounts the evening’s events truthfully and mentions the earlier fall.

Alf and Ailsa discuss their problems with Duncan. Alf believes that Duncan needs more discipline. Ailsa speaks to Alf about counselling for the family. Fisher suggests using the mediation program that he started at the school. Fisher explains the mechanics of the mediation program to Alf. Duncan says ‘no way’ when told about the program. Alf doesn’t think it’s such a good idea, either, but Ailsa, Alf and Duncan then go through a list of mediators. Duncan suggests a ridiculous choice – his 12-year-old mate Jack. Alf suggests no one because he doesn’t want his dirty laundry aired in public. They finally settle on Natalie.

Natalie comes over to Jesse’s place with Gypsy. Knowing that Jesse is good with cars, Natalie asks him about a strange noise in her car. She wants a general idea of the problem so that her mechanic won’t cheat her. Natalie invites Jesse over for dinner – that way he can listen to her car on the way. During dinner, Gypsy plays footsy with Jesse under the table. Jesse feels so embarrassed that he makes a quick exit.

Jenny Gray, 1999

Guest Cast

DUNCAN STEWART (BRENDAN McKENSY)
KEN SMITH (ANTHONY PHELAN)
WENDY COLLINS (JAYNE LESLIE)
STEVE COLLINS (DON HALBERT)
RUBY COLLINS (BRITTANY JONES & SIAN TIERNEY)