UK Air Date: 19th October 2006
Cat No: HAW5-344
Amanda races the clock to stop the grief-stricken Belle leaving the Bay. Matilda struggles to come to terms with her horrific injuries.
Extended Summary
Amanda is getting impatient as Kitty struggles to give her an explanation. Realising there’s no easy way out of this mess, Kitty decides to bite the bullet and finally reveal the truth. She takes a deep breath and drops the bombshell – Belle is Amanda’s daughter! Amanda recoils in shock as Kitty charges into an apology. She tries to convince Amanda how difficult it has been dealing with the guilt of keeping the secret for so many years but Amanda bites back. She tells Kitty of the pain she has lived with, thinking of the baby she thought she had lost all those years ago! As Amanda struggles to get her head around the fact Belle is her daughter, she questions if Kitty is actually ill. Kitty’s silence speaks louder than words. Amanda yells at Kitty to pack her bags and get the hell out, before storming off in disgust. Amanda is sobbing her heart out, when Kitty comes down the stairs carrying her packed bags. She pleads with Amanda for forgiveness – she doesn’t want this to ruin their relationship. But Amanda is cold when she insists she no longer has a mother. Kitty moves off, deeply upset that she may have lost her daughter forever!
Dan arrives to apologise to Amanda for his previous outburst but is instantly alarmed when he comes face to face with a distressed Amanda. Her emotions overwhelm her and she bursts in to tears as Dan moves to comfort her. As Amanda begins to calm down, she reveals the secret that has just been dumped on her. Dan wonders if Kitty knows where her daughter is and is shocked when Amanda reveals it’s Belle! Dan draws on his own recent experiences of losing Peter and urges Amanda not to let any more time pass her by – Belle has a right to know her mother! Amanda is left with food for thought – will she tell Belle the truth?
Belle is sitting alone in her hospital room, when Irene arrives and picks up on Belle’s subdued mood and finally Belle admits she is thinking of leaving the Bay. After all, apart from Irene, she has no one worth staying for. Ric is more interested in Cassie than her and any attempts to find her mother have fallen flat. As Irene emerges from Belle’s room, she crosses with Beth, Tony, Lucas and Matilda, who is being wheeled back to her room. Like Belle, Matilda is reserved and clearly not dealing with the trauma. She nervously awaits as the doctor arrives and begins unraveling her bandages for the first time. Beth and Tony steel themselves for the nasty sight but Matilda clocks Lucas’s look of shock. Matilda takes a mirror and stares at her neck baring the burn but despite reassurance from the doctor that all can be fixed with cosmetic surgery, Matilda is silently horrified. Finally, Matilda snaps – she’s fed up with the sympathy and just wants to be left alone! Lucas tries to buoy Matilda’s confidence, but his compliments fall on deaf ears. Once she’s alone, Matilda touches her scar in disgust and begins to cry her little heart out! Poor Matilda!
Irene comes across Amanda and Dan who have been chatting about Belle she gives her condolences to Dan and comments on the devastating impact the fire has had and how Belle is contemplating leaving the Bay. Amanda is instantly alarmed, much to Irene’s bemusement – what does Amanda care about Belle? Irene moves off, leaving Amanda with a huge decision – will she let a chance to get to know her daughter pass her by?
Belle has now been discharged from hospital and has begun packing up her belongings. Irene attempts one last time to convince her not to leave but the moment is interrupted by a knock at the door. Belle is abrupt when she opens the door and comes face to face with Amanda! Belle is ready to slam the door in her face but Amanda jumps in – she has something really important to tell her – about her mother!!!