Leah and Peter stage a bedside vigil as Dan’s life hangs in the balance – but nothing will prepare them for the shocking revelation that changes everything. As she fights to come to terms with the reappearance of her father, Rachel finally tells Kim the truth about her family.
Extended Summary
Rachel is still reeling from the surprise arrival of her father, Dr Robert Armstrong, and the offer of a new position in the emergency department. Robert extends his apology for not being around to support Rachel when she endured the situation with Helpman. Rachel is about to respond when the hospital doors slam open and the team move into action to treat someone who has just been involved in a serious car accident. Much to Rachel’s shock, she sees the patient is Dan! Rachel tries to hide her panic as she tends to Dan’s serious head injuries and possible internal bleeding – things don’t look positive! Dan remains unconscious as the team rush Dan towards the theatre. Kim has just arrived to see Rachel and is confronted by the rush. Rachel has no time to explain but urges Kim to hurry to inform Dan’s family that his condition is deteriorating!
Leah is filled with a mix of emotions as she stares down at the divorce papers that sit in front of her. She is broken from her reverie when Sally arrives. Reluctantly, Leah reveals to Sally her intention to divorce Dan. Sally’s taken aback, not realising Leah and Dan’s relationship has reached that extreme but knows Leah still holds her doubts. Sally urges Leah to think long and hard, after all, once the papers are signed there is no going back! Their conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door and Leah is far from impressed when she comes face-to-face with Peter. But the look on his face indicates that something is seriously wrong…
Peter and Leah, followed by Sally, rush into the hospital. Rachel and Robert explain Dan has been in a terrible accident and has endured some very serious injuries that require an urgent operation. It is very risky, but without the operation Dan will surely die. Leah is in shock as she comes to terms with the chance Dan may not survive!
Robert and the Surgeon appear with the news that the operation to tend to Dan’s injuries was a success. There is relief from all but it is short lived when Robert explains Dan’s head injury is still critical and he may have brain damage. Leah sits by Dan’s side, in disbelief – this can’t be happening! Rachel emerges from the theatre, exhausted. In all the rush, she has not yet introduced Kim to her father. Robert expresses his interest in getting to know Kim better and arranges for them all to have dinner. As Robert moves away, Rachel can’t help but wonder what has prompted her father’s seemingly relaxed and nice behaviour.
Later, as Rachel and Kim arrive home to prepare for dinner, Kim questions Rachel why she is so secretive about her family. Rachel hesitantly reveals her father and mother were involved in a car accident some years ago which left her mother with an acute form of amnesia. Her mother is now in a care home and Rachel has not been to visit her for a long time, in fear it will bring to many bad memories to the surface. Kim offers his support, grateful for the understanding he now has of her past. Dinner is going well and Robert is charming them both. Rachel comments to Kim how changed her father is, as the move off to the kitchen. Kim heads back to the living room to top up the drinks when he overhears Robert on the phone talking in a hushed tone. It seems the content of his mystery conversation is enough to lead Kim to doubt if Robert truly is the changed man he’d have them believe!
Leah remains glued to Dan’s side, along with Sally and Alf who are offering their support. Peter appears and hesitates before delivering the bad news. The report from the accident squad has revealed Dan didn’t lose control of his car. It seems there is no evidence of skid marks to suggest Dan made any attempt to brake. Leah, Sally and Alf listen on in horror as the implications hit hard – did Dan try to take his own life?