Episode 4238

Extended Summary

Beth and Tony arrive home to see Matilda having a coughing fit, clutching her stomach and see she’s coughing up blood! They race her to the hospital where Rachel examines her. It’s a severe throat infection, but not the cause of the blood. Matilda covers saying it must be a cold, but Rachel suspects there’s something more to it and organises an ultrasound, Mattie quietly panics. The test reveals a stomach ulcer. Beth fills Lucas and Tony in on the situation and all are curious when Rachel asks to speak with Mattie alone. She quizzes Matilda on her eating, mentioning bulimia, but she continues to cover saying the ulcer is from worry over Kit and Robbie missing and her break up with Lucas.

Cassie comes to visit and urges Mattie to tell everyone the truth. Matilda demands Cassie to keep quiet or she’ll never forgive her, but Cassie can’t stand seeing her friend getting so sick and tells Beth that Mattie has been making herself throw up. Everyone is left reeling… Beth struggles to hold back tears, as Rachel moves in and urges Mattie to talk about her problem. Rachel tells her she is beautiful and intelligent, why would she do this to herself? Mattie snaps – there’s nothing special about her! Rachel is saddened by the extent of the problem. Beth is in tears and Mattie screams at Cassie for telling everyone the truth! Devastated, Cassie leaves.

Lucas has a moment with Mattie, he reckons he knows what’s going on in her head. You think you’re not good enough for anyone; for me, but you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. You think the scar makes you different, but you’ll always be the most beautiful person I know. It’s a heart wrenching speech…until she finally cracks and sobs in his arms. Everyone with Matilda now as she explains how things got so out of control, that she knows she has a problem with her self esteem. Please help me…

Leah and Dan decide to head to Stewart’s Point with Peter’s memorial plaque with the boys and Colleen for the unveiling. Drew is adamant that he won’t be coming along. Dan makes comment about Drew starting at Summer Bay High at some stage, but Drew isn’t interested in discussing it, saying he’s too busy lighting fires for school… Dan apologises for accusing Drew of the car fire as Leah tries to change the topic, suggesting that coming to the plaque unveiling may help ease some of the pain over Peter’s death. Drew tells them he’s still not coming as the others head off, but Leah’s words stay with him.

At Stewart’s Point, the family gather, and Dan begins his touching tribute to Peter. He becomes distracted when he sees Drew approaching. Leah and Dan share a smile, they’re happy to see Drew has made an effort to look decent and to actually be there. Dan throws Drew a smile – but it isn’t returned. Drew makes it known he’s there for the boys, nothing else. Nonetheless, Leah later comments that it’s a step in the right direction for the family and Drew now being a part of it.

Back at the house, Drew fights back tears as he looks at a photo of Peter – he’s angry and confused and tries to cover his tears when Dan enters. Dan thanks him for joining them today, then sees how Drew is trying desperately to reign in his emotions. Dan gently lets him know that it’s okay to be upset, to admit why he actually turned up at the ceremony. He continues, letting Drew know that it’s normal to miss Peter, to have loved him, despite not really knowing him and then Drew snaps. He didn’t love Peter and he sure as hell doesn’t love Dan! With that he storms out, leaving Dan hanging his head in frustration – just when things were going so well…

Drew strides up towards the memorial plaque and stares at it a moment, before suddenly lashing out at it, picking up a rock and smashing it against the plaque. Unsatisfied, he begins trying to rip the plaque off its mount. After much strenuous effort, he manages to pull it away from the rock. He throws it off into the bushes, seething as he struggles to catch his breath and fight his angry tears. This is one angry young man…