Episode 3717

Extended Summary

DINER
Irene tells Colleen that Hayley doesn’t want a party for her birthday, but they’re twisting it and organising a SURPRISE party… it seems they don’t qualify as being parties. Invite will be by word-of-mouth… so no fear of Colleen being left out of this one.

NEAR BEACH
Kim, Tasha, Robbie and Matilda walk away from the beach, with Robbie feeding them information about exactly how long it is until his birthday. Tasha wishes that she had a birthday, and Matilda is shocked. Robbie expresses his excitement at being able to “go for a licence” – it’s a Hunter family tradition that he get a car for his 18th, but after he covered for Kim when he destroyed Irene’s car, Matilda reckons he’ll be lucky to get a skateboard. Henry and Max pass briefly, begging Matilda for money – they never got their allowance as they were suspended. They’re turned away with their tails between their legs, deciding to beg for food at the diner ‘on credit’. Kim has also got to rush to swimming training – he proimised ‘someone’. They wonder if Hyde’s going to keep him away from Robbie’s birthday dinner, and Kim replies to Matilda, complete with smirk “Matilda, my dear, wild horses wouldn’t keep me away from an evening with you”. Eugh. Tasha wonders why Kim is sucking up to Hyde all of a sudden, and Matilda wryly suggests that it’s because he wants a new set of wheels. It doesn’t take much to rile Tasha, and Tasha leaps to the offensive – why does Matilda have to be so rude? Fair question, but Matilda likes to think that she’s consistent. Realising that her “constructive criticism” is wasted on them, she walks off. One they’re alone, Tasha wonders why Robbie doesn’t just tell the truth about the accident. Robbie avoids the question.

BEACH HOUSE
Hyde arrives to talk to Sally, who is in hiding at Irene’s place – it’s a school matter and Irene quickly realises that she’s notn wanted – “I guess that’s my cue to change the sheets… or something”. Hyde has had a call from the department, apologising for their criticism of he and Sally’s handling of the lock-in. Sally doesn’t seem too impressed that Hyde has told them that they were united in their handling of the situation – she was 100% against calling the police. She recognises that he used the “united front” tact in fear of “rocking the boat”. As a pig floats through the skies above, Hyde admits that he should have listened to her all along. Sally isn’t going to play along with his claims that he wanted teamwork – that would imply trust and mutual respect. She is verging on tears, and as she stands up, turning her back on him, he starts to look uncomfortable. He attempts to comfort her as best he can, exchanging “Miss Fletcher” to “Sally” and telling her that he’s not totally insensitive – he knew all was not well when he spoke to Flynn, and he knows that his timing is atrocious. He offers her his handkerchief, which she accepts, and a shoulder to cry on if she needs to, before making a retreat. She wonders if he would put the kettle and he raises a smile.

CARAVAN PARK
Rhys is surprised at the size of Robbie’s address book, and Beth boasts her sons’ popularity. Beth is feeling bad about refusing Robbie a car, but Rhys is all for sticking to his guns – he has to pay a price for both Irene’s car and his part in the lock-in. After all, they’re still organising him a surprise party, under the guise of a small family do. Beth is still worried about Jade – she’s got two weeks of school holidays (how often do they have holidays in Aus???!!!) to worry about being expelled. Rhys’ only solution is to encourage her to think about Yabbie Creek – that way she’ll have something to look forward to. Beth concludes that Rhys is “not just a pretty face”… hmmm… and as they move for a kiss, Robbie and Tasha successfully spoil the moment. They rush through the lounge, announcing that they have an assignment to do – in the privacy of Robbie’s bedroom. Beth announces that Kit will be back for his birthday, and tentatively approaches the topic of the car. Robbie understands that he won’t be getting one, and doesn’t act disappointed – there’s always the next year. As Robbie and Tasha disappear for some heavy assignment, Rhys and Beth turn back to the address book.

BEACH HOUSE
Kim and Irene are out in the front porch, avoiding Hyde and Sally, who are having a long chat in the lounge. Irene comments that Hyde actually seems bearable. Irene is expecting her slave around soon – Robbie will be trying to make up for what he did to her car. Kim looks decidedly guilty as Irene continues to dwell on it, and he eventually decides to come clean. Irene isn’t surprised, but she’s not going to tell Hyde or throw him out – instead, she decides he’s got some making up to do. She hands him a pair of garden clippers – they’re great for “clearing away the dead wood”. Producers: take note.

Inside, Hyde and Sally are talking shop, with Sally defending Jade – how will getting rid of one of their best students help the school? Hyde just wants to stick to his principles, and recognises that not everyone will agree, besides if two people on the council agree on everything then one of them will be redundant. Amen. Sally asks him to transfer her away from Summer Bay High – it’s her only option, otherwise she will quit. Hyde realises that he has an appointment, and must rush off. As he leaves, he tells her that he knows she has personal problems, but she’s a good teacher and shouldn’t do something she may later regret. The door closes, and Irene emerges from the porch, commenting that she never thought she’d see the back of him. Hyde walks back in just in time to hear of Irene’s tactics, and realises that Kim has also been avoiding him. He looks momentarily downhearted as he picks up his jacket, asks after Kim’s training, and departs. Once Kim has also left, Irene wonders what Hyde has got over Kim, before realising that Sally is upset. Irene blames Hyde, remarking that no man is worth her tears… and the one who is would never make her cry. Sally’s left with food for thought.

BREAK

NEAR THE BEACH
Somewhere between the palace and the beach, Dani and Scott sit down for breakfast. Noah runs up, having been for a surf, and is told that Hayley is still in bed. He hands them a list, needing help with Hayley’s party – he hasn’t even looked for a present for Hayley yet. Dani casually wonders what Noah is getting her, and Noah ccrypticall replies “something I should have got her two years ago”. Dani jumps to the obvious conclusion – an engagement ring! Noah isn’t saying, and swiftly changes the subject back to the party. They already have problems – Dani and Scott are also meant to be attending Robbie’s party, but Scott reckons they can switch between the two. Dani is still digging to try and find out more about Noah’s present, but he’s onto her and isn’t letting on

OUTSIDE SURF CLUB
Jesse approaches Sally, having heard on the grapevine that she has moved out. Sally doesn’t particularly want to discuss it, thinking the four of them were crazy to get into the situation in the first place. The pair of them recognise that it’s still Sally’s baby… it’s just a question of whether Flynn and Leah are aware of that.

BEACH HOUSE
Hyde arrives to offer both Sally and Kim a lift, but he has missed them both. Irene opens the mail as she talks to him, and is infuriated to discover that the insurance company isn’t going to pay out over her car due to the “suspicious circumstances”. Irene mocks this – all it was was three people taking it for a spin and writing it off… Hyde picks up on the ‘three’ and realises that Kim was in the driving seat. Irene wonders what he will do about it if Kim was involved, and insists that Kim is a “terrific kid” who just needs a go. Hyde tells her that he’ll sort out the finance for the car – the cheque will be in the mail. Irene looks pretty stunned.

DINER
Alf is booking the surf club for Robbie’s party, and Colleeen remarks that she’s going to have her hair done, since Irene invited her specially.

SURF CLUB
Dani and Scott are setting up the kiosk, and Irene tells them she’s going to Yabbie Creek – so Noah can get in touch if he needs anything for Hayley’s party. Alf, Dani and Scott talk catering and decoration, with Alf grumbling about the choice of pink balloons. Irene approaches Alf to confirm the booking of the Surf Club for Hayley’s ‘do’ – Colleen was sorting it. Alf gets confused – it seems there’s been some serious wire-crossing and the surf club is now double-booked, for both Hayley and Robbie’s parties.

DINER
Alf and Colleen argue it out, both of them having neglected to enter their booking into the diary as soon as they received it. They know that they have to get rid of one of the parties… but which one?

Later, Irene isn’t too happy to learn that, as a result of a “communication breakdown”, Hayley doesn’t have anywhere for her 21st. Colleen’s suggestion of a beach party goes down like a lead balloon, and Colleen grumbles that it’s not her fault people aren’t organised. Alf tells Irene that there’s always another option – they share the venue. Irene mulls it over with a frown, concerned about the age difference. Alf points out that in Summer bay, most people would be going to both anyway. Irene decides to let him run the idea past Rhys – if he’s happy then she’s happy, and if he’s not… Irene mimics that she will kill him.

Colleen and Sally sit down for a chat in the midst of Colleen’s shift, and Colleen is horrified to learn that Sally is moving out and insists that ‘Dr Saunders’ just needs a bit of time, and will soon be begging her to go back. Sally doesn’t think that Flynn needs her, but Colleen is convinced that she knows true love when she sees it.

CARAVAN PARK
Beth and Kirsty are going through baby clothes as Rhys enters, just in time to get the phone. The phone call is abrupt, and the other caller hangs up as soon as Rhys is aware that whoever it is is coming over. Rhys is left looking confused – he tells Beth that there’s a Mrs DeGroot, who’s in town with her husband, that wants to come over. They guess that she just wants a van, and Kirsty leaves shortly after. Beth asks how Rhys got on at Yabbie Creek High, and he thinks it will work – if anyone needs a break, it’s Jade.

BEACH HOUSE
Sally arrives home to find a bouquet of flowers awaiting her, and Irene bouncing around wanting her to open the card, and announcing that guys don’t know what they’ve got till it has gone. Sally’s face drops as she reads the card, and passes it to Irene, who recites “Miss Fletcher, very best wishes and my heartfelt thanks for all your hard work this term. I hope we’ll be working together for many years to come, Barry Hyde”. It seems his gestures of goodwill don’t even put him in the good books.Irene comforts Sally as she bursts into tears.

CARAVAN PARK
The DeGroots have arrived, and Rhys is apologetic – they haven’t actually got any vans… he is cut off, and Mrs DeGroot explains the real reason for their visit. They confirm that Rhys has twins, born on 27th November 1986 at Beachwater Private Hospital. They don’t mince there words and inform Beth and Rhys that there was a mix up at the hospital – Kirsty and Jade aren’t twins… one of them is a DeGroot…

BEACH HOUSE
Sally is on the phone to Pippa, organising a visit. She needs to take some time out to think, but Irene doesn’t think running away is a solution, and suggests that SHE talk to Flynn. However, Sally is devastated that she hasn’t had any form of contact from Flynn since she left – as far as she’s concerned, the marriage is over.

CARAVAN PARK
The DeGroots tell Rhys and Beth that it was tempting to sweep it all into the past, but the girls are adults now, and have a right to know. Beth and Rhys are convinced that there is some sort of mistake, but the DeGroots are certain – it was a terrible shock to them as well, and they found out as a result of medical problems in the family. Tests were done that proved their daughter, Laura, was not related to them. Rhys refuses to accept it – there were so many kids born that night, and they simply can’t be sure. Mr Degroot glances at a picture of Kirsty, before taking a picture of his own out and presenting it to Rhys. Rhys identifies it as being Kirsty, but in actuial fact it is Laura… Kirsty’s identical twin…