Belle is crushed when Ric demands she stay out of his life for good. Irene and Amanda’s battle for Belle reaches an explosive climax. Matilda’s health battle continues.
Extended Summary
Cassie is demanding answers but Ric is so drunk, he’s barely conscious. Belle is talking it up but Cassie quickly suspects foul play and rips in to Belle for plotting to get Ric drunk and take advantage of him. Amanda jumps in to defend Belle but Cassie attacks Amanda’s mothering skills, or lack of! Cassie continues to vent her frustrations but when she finally directs her outrage to Ric, he looks at her pathetically, before vomiting right on top of Amanda’s expensive shoes! The party’s come to an abrupt end and Sally arrives to pick up Ric and Cassie. She is disgusted that Amanda was encouraging under-age drinking but decides not to waste her breathe arguing with Amanda and moves off. Drew heads home with them but sneakily smiles at Belle on the way out – their plan was a success. Amanda reassures Belle that stage one of their plan went well. They share a smile – mother and daughter are growing closer by the minute!
Irene is surprised by Belle’s earlier than expected arrival home. Irene’s a little bemused by Belle’s behaviour but Belle is quick to make an excuse to head upstairs and dodge the interrogation. The phone rings, but before Belle makes it half way up the stairs, Irene is yelling at her to come back – not so fast, Girlie! Irene finishes up her call to Sally and Belle knows she’s just been busted big time! An argument erupts and Irene is trying to make Belle see that her plan to split up Ric and Cassie is completely immoral and that Amanda’s ideas are ridiculous. Belle fires back in Amanda’s defence and venomously responds that at least Amanda doesn’t get drunk and bash her own kids. Irene is frozen by the reference to her past – Belle’s words are a stab in the heart. Belle storms off, leaving Irene deeply hurt and on the verge of tears.
The next morning, Ric finds Cassie in the Diner and quickly moves into damage control. At first, Cassie is angered by Ric’s attempts to defend himself but gradually the pieces start fitting together and Cassie recognises it was all part of Belle and Amanda’s plan to make them fight. Cassie is on her way home when she spies Belle and Drew conspiring on the beach. She watches them for a moment, curious as to what their connection is, and suddenly she realises Drew was also involved in Belle’s plan. Cassie heads home to fill Ric in on the latest discovery. Meanwhile, Drew is copping an earful from Leah for lying about going to the party. Drew works an award winning performance which eventually convinces Leah he was doing no wrong. Leah moves off, leaving Drew feeling pretty proud of himself….until…Ric appears at the door! The two boys end up in a scuffle and Ric leaves Drew with the very stern warning to stay the hell away from Cassie or will be very sorry if he doesn’t! Still fired up from his encounter with Drew, Ric spots Belle on his way home. Belle plays innocent but Ric tells Belle he wants nothing more to do with her and to stay out of his life. Belle is absolutely crushed.
Amanda tries to comfort Belle, who is now bawling her eyes out and heartbroken by Ric’s rejection. Belle thanks Amanda for all her support and wishes Irene could do the same. Amanda’s sees the comment as the perfect opportunity to suggest Belle live with her. Belle heads home with plenty to think about – what will she decide? Irene arrives home to find Amanda in the living room. She yells at her to stay away but is interrupted by Belle coming down the stairs with her packed bags. Irene is stunned as she realises Belle is moving in with Amanda and nothing she says will change Belle’s mind. Amanda escorts Belle out the door, leaving Irene absolutely devastated.
Matilda arrives home from the hospital and the family are all treading on egg shells, bearing in mind her current fragile state of mind. Lucas convinces Matilda to have a meal with friends at the Diner but once she is there – she pokes and prods her food, hoping no one will notice that she’s hardly eaten a thing. Matilda arrives home as Beth and Tony are on their way out. Beth is hesitant to leave Matilda on her own but Mattie insists she’ll be just fine. Once she is alone, her distress consumes her and she moves to the mirror, looking at herself with complete self-loathing. Matilda breaks down in heart-wrenching sobs – she can’t fight it anymore.