Episode 3727

Extended Summary

OUTSIDE SURF CLUB
Rhys approaches Jade, who is staring out at sea. He mentions that he’s going to be going into Yabbie Creek to do some clothes shopping, and suggests that she come along and get some new school uniform. She is unenthusiastic, and Rhys helpfully tells her that Yabbie Creek won’t be too happy if she turns up in her Summer Bay gear. She has come to a decision, though – she’s not going to be going back to school, as the accident has changed things – Seb will need someone to take care of him. Rhys recognises this – but reminds her that Seb may well not feel the same way – after all, he isn’t even talking to her at the minute. Jade is insistent that Seb does love her, and storms off

CARAVAN PARK
Rhys tells Beth that it’s not that he doesn’t understand Jade – he’s proud that she’s so committed – but by no means does he want her dropping out of school. However, he is reminded of what happened with Kirsty when they tried to stop her doing what she wanted, and Rhys is adamant he doesn’t want another eloping to deal with. Beth wonders whether the best course of action would be no action – as she demonstrated with Kit. Kit’s ears burn as she walks in, displaying just what a turnaround she has been through by not flying off the handle at them for talking about her behind her back. Beth assures her that she was being used as a good example, as Kit sits down to use the sewing machine. Understandably Beth is amazed, but Kit mentions that some of her girly stuff HAD to rub off on her kids – she knows how to use the machine.

Rhys follows Beth through to the kitchen, continuing to ponder what to do about Jade. Beth reckons Jade just needs a bit of prompting in the right direction, and is sure that the reality will eventually sink in – she hasn’t thought about the practicalities, but Rhys knows what Jade is willing to put on the line for Seb.

OUTSIDE SURF CLUB
Kit comes to see Jade, who wants her to watch the kiosk when she goes to see Seb. Kit mentions that she heard of her plans to drop out of school, and is quick to advise Jade against it – after all, she’s smart and only has one year left to go. Jade doesn’t seem to think that it’s fair that she finish school and Seb doesn’t, but Kit is quick to point out that the disabled aren’t useless – of course he can return to school, and even if he decides not to, he wouldn’t expect Jade to “be a martyr”. Jade is indignant – she is NOT being a martyr – she’s doing it because she loves him and she wants to. Kit backs off, but still isn’t sure that Jade knows exactly what she is doing. Jade isn’t exactly organised – she knows not where she will live, or how she will afford it, but refuses to be put off by Kit, who she declares to be as bad as Rhys and Beth. Kit is rational – she’s only trying to let Jade see what it’s going to be like looking after Seb full-time. Jade, however, doesn’t care – she blames herself for the accident, and is vowing to make amends.

HOSPITAL
The nurse tells Jade that Seb doesn’t want to see her, but she refuses to leave – he’ll be fine once he knows what it’s about, and even if they have to get security to remove her, she’ll keep coming back until they let her in. Her stubbornness has the required effect, and she is allowed in to see Seb. His face doesn’t exactly light up as he sees her, and she tells him that she’s sorry about everything – but she’ll make it up to him. He can’t see how he can, and as she vows to look after him 24/7 he stops her in her tracks – she doesn’t want her to. He doesn’t love her. He is forced to repeat himself as she refuses to believe him, and she still doesn’t get the picture. She is convinced that he will love her again, but he informs her that everything changed the minute she got into the car with Duncan. He has decided to leave the Bay, and Jade’s tears don’t have any effect. She leaves, heartbroken, as he stares blankly ahead.

ALF’S FLAT
Duncan is his usual stubborn and dislikeable self as he refuses to eat breakfast or help with breakfast, and pays minimal attention as Alf reccommends that he get used to the ‘timetable’ around there. Alf clocks onto his attitude, and Duncan excuses it with the fact that no one is able to look him in the eye. Alf sees it as no excuse to just give up making an effort, and informs his troublesome son that he and Morag have come to a decision – Duncan will be spending some more time in the Bay. Duncan is horrified at the idea… but it’s the idea of being treated as a murderer that gets his back up as opposed to the high risks involved with being in the Bay. Alf assures him that he’s the only one who views himself as a murderer and Duncan, rolls his eyes, announcing almost proudly that he was the one who “bust up Saint Seb” – and people aren’t going to see it as an accident. Needless to say, Alf reprmiands him for the “Saint Seb” remark – it was way out of line, but it’ll make no difference – Duncan will be sticking around, as there is a lot to work through. Duncan is given five minutes freedom.

HOSPITAL
Fisher sits by Seb’s bedside, unable to understand why Seb wants to leave the Bay – it’s his home, and it’s where all the people that care about him are. Seb doesn’t want people feeling sorry for him, and feels that he must leave to get away from it, as he will see it in their eyes everytime he looks at the Baysiders. He doesn’t want to be treated differently just because he’s in a wheelchair, and Fisher reluctantly offer to look into rehabilitation centres down in Brisbane. Seb is grateful, and is adamant that he needs no more time to think – he wants to leave as soon as can be arranged.

NEAR THE BEACH
Jade tells Kirsty that she can’t understand how fast things have changed – it was only days ago that she and Seb were in love and planning to move to the city together. Kirsty believes that time will make Seb come to his senses, but Jade saw how Seb was – he was so definate, and it was like he hated her.

ALF’S FLAT
Fisher discusses Seb with Alf – it’s a big move, but they just want to do the right thing by him. Duncan listens as Alf remarks how quiet it will be without Seb around.

BREAK

HOSPITAL
Kirsty is visiting Seb, accusing him of lying to Jade, but he insists that he doesn’t want Jade in his life and blames her for what has happened to him. He refuses to blame Duncan for everything – he would never have followed Duncan into the car. Kirsty know what he’s doing by trying to push Jade away, likening it to Kane thinking it would be best to push HER away if he would never walk again, and Kirsty tells Seb that Jade wants to look after him as she loves him. Seb reminds her that he’s not Kane, and she’s not Jade it’s over, whether she believes it or not

WHARF
Fisher finds Duncan, who initially assumes that he has come to lecture him. He assumes that Fisher hates him, but the ever-compassionate Fisher doesn’t think it’s worth dwelling on the past. He mentions that he and Alf had a chat about him earlier, and Duncan insists that even if his Dad says he doesn’t blame him for what has happened, it’s all lies. Fisher tells him that all Alf wants is to make things better between them, and Duncan has to be reminded that it was his own decision to go and stay with Morag – not a result of Alf trying to push him away. Duncan is increasingly bitter – if Alf loved him, he wouldn’t have let him leave, and even after Ailsa died Alf wasn’t there for him. Fisher explains that Alf was grieving – he didn’t have the answers anymore than Duncan did – and likens the situation to he and Bobby – it was a long time until they knew one another. It’s never too late, as Alf will ALWAYS be Duncan’s father. That is, until a the devil himself pops up out of the blue to announce that he had an affair with Ailsa, and therefore he’s Duncan’s biologocal father.

DINER
Jade has to learn from Alf that arrangements are already underway for Seb’s move
Duncan makes an unwelcome entrance, and Jade lays into him about that fateful night – why didn’t he stop the car when she screamed at him to? Duncan can barely remember the night – he was probably too smashed to hear her, but Jade insists that he MUST have seen Seb on the bonnet. Alf intervenes before she starts tearing strips out of him, and Duncan brashly tells her that he never forced Seb to jump on the bonnet. She storms out, telling Duncan that he’s pathetic.
Alf and Duncan move into the kitchen, where Duncan once again digs himself a grave by wondering why everyones blaming him just because “some clown” chose to throw himself on the bonnet of a moving car. Alf reminds Duncan that the clown is his cousin, and Seb has been like a son to him. Duncan takes the opportunity to remind Alf that he IS his son, and he doesn’t stick up for him – in fact, his father seems quite happy to let people put the blame on him. Alf tells him that he’ll wear all the blame he deserves, and asks Duncan to givce him something to be proud of as a father. Duncan walks out.

CARAVAN PARK
Jade makes her newest announcement to Beth – she’ll be going with Seb to Brisbane, but Beth is quick to try and bring her back to earth – not only has she her own issues, but she hasn’t considered how Seb will feel. Jade puts the “I love him. I want to look after him” record on again, and Beth decides to make things clear – if she loves him, then she should respect his wishes and leave him alone. Maybe in a few months things will change.

ALF’S FLAT
Duncan packs his bag whilst that nice “I just want to lose myself, I will, I will” track plays on in the background. He chooses to pack a picture of he and his parents.

DINER
Jade catches up with Fisher, who becomes the thousandth person to assure her that things aren’t her fault. Fisher understands that Jade wants to be with Seb, and insists that he personally doesn’t think Seb is better off without her, but makes it clear that Seb will be getting all the help he needs. Fisher thinks that the most important thing she could do for Seb would be to go back to school and make a success of herself – it won’t be easy, but it’s for the best.

ALF’S FLAT
Alf arrives home to find Duncan finishing off his packing, and isn’t impressed that Duncan plans on running away from his problems. Duncan, however, isn’t ready to accept responsibility for his actions, and reckons getting out of the bay is best for him. He refuses to listen to what his father have to say, accusing him of being a father only when it is convenient, and makes to leave. Alf knows that he has been a let-down, but thinks they have another chance to get thins right – he can help his son become the best man he can be. Duncan isn’t buying it, and Alf has to stop him from leavin, demanding that he stay and face up to what he has done. He was driving the car, and was ultimately responsible for what happened. Duncan finally drops his bags and storms to his room. Alf spots the photo of he and Ailsa in Duncan’s packing, and smiles weakly, before glancing in the direction of Duncan’s room.

HOSPITAL
Seb is now sat up in a chair beside his bed, and Fisher arrives to tell him that everything has been arranged. There is no chance that he will have his mind changed – he doesn’t want to be dependant on his friends. It’s not just about them supporting him – it would be them wanting to help him, and he wouldn’t be able to have his independance. He refuses to be a burden, despite Fisher’s protest that he wouldn’t be. Fisher reminds him of Jade – is he really prepared to leave her as well? Seb’s mind is made up, and they are to leave Summer Bay the following afternoon.

Later, Seb lies in bed in the dark, reminiscing about happy times gone by – he, Kirsty, Jade and Nick on the beach; he and Jade in the Eisteddfod and the scene prior to he and Jade sleeping together. A single tear runs from his eye.