Episode 4249

Extended Summary

Emily fills Sally in on the whole story – how she met Brad in WA while she was working, how they fell in love, how she started to rapidly lose weight and then the discovery of her leukaemia. Brad has stood by her the whole way and she wants to help him set up a life in Summer Bay before she goes. Sally is deeply saddened by the story and now understands why Brad shut down when he learnt about Flynn – she represents everything he’s afraid of right now. Emily asks Sally to be patient with him – he doesn’t want anyone to know about this yet. Sally begins to see Brad in a new light, her heart breaking for them both.

Emily arrives home and Brad wonders where she’s been and quickly discovers that she’s told Sally about her illness. Emily urges him to talk to Sally. He doesn’t promise anything as he heads out. Sally approaches Brad and she tries to get a moment with him, but he hurries off. Meanwhile, Rachel is visiting Emily, both worried about Brad’s state of mind with all that is happening with Emily – is he going to cope? Emily wants him to be settled with family around for support.

Sally finally gets a moment to speak with Brad and gently lets him know that she’s there if he needs anything – she understands what he’s going through – then Brad snaps saying she has no idea and doesn’t need her help, before storming off! Upset, Sally goes to see Leah and Rachel is also there – she raises the situation with Sal, knowing Emily has told her and Sal tells them about his outburst – she was trying to help! Rachel tracks down Brad and points out that he has to face his pain or he’ll drive everyone away. He wants to focus on Emily, he can deal with his own stuff once she’s gone – why waste that time now? But it’s not good for Emily to see this either and she urges him to lean on her, Emily and Sally – it’s okay to feel this grief. Brad says he’s fine, he’s newly married and that’s his focus as he returns to school.

Brad finds Sally and apologises for his behaviour earlier – Sally is understanding and reminds him she’s there to help. He’s grateful and mentions that the biggest help would be to be friends with Emily right now. Sally agrees without hesitation – it would be a pleasure. She moves off, with Brad just holding it together. That night, he holds Emily as she sleeps on the couch and watches her with despair. Then finally begins to sob…

At the retreat, Matilda is confiding in Dean that she’s dreading the group therapy session – he feels the same, not wanting to be targeted to ‘talk out’ their issues. In the session, Vanessa is very open about her situation and talks of her mother’s death and being abandoned by her step-dad. Mel, the counsellor, prompts Matilda to open up, but she barely says a word, too daunted by it all. Later, Mattie re-reads the letter Lucas sent her and Dean asks more about him – she explains he was her first love and that she is looking forward to seeing him again. She’s still confused by it all, though. Dean is supportive, an obvious bond forming between them. They’re interrupted by Vanessa who has a solution to their problem of not opening up in session. Bemused, they follow her through the bush, wondering what’s going on? They get to a clearing and stop – Vanessa screams her lungs out – then urges the pair to give it a go. Finally they do, feeling better for it.

Dean and Mattie notice a heated argument between Mel and Vanessa and are shocked to see Vanessa punch Mel then run off! Mattie and Dean run to Mel to see if she’s okay – she has a swollen lip. What was that all about? Mel will say nothing but Skye tells them that the story Vanessa told in group was a lie – her parents are both alive and well, Vanessa actually has an issue with violent behaviour and ran away from home after bashing her younger sister in a fit of rage. Dean and Matilda are floored to learn the truth about their friend!

Later that night, Matilda and Dean are discussing Vanessa and wonder where she is? Mattie figures she’s talking to Mel, trying to sort things out, or maybe her parents are coming to get her? They are interrupted by the appearance of flashing lights outside and race out to see an ambulance pulling away and Mel watching after it, sadly. They rush to her and ask what’s happened? Mel explains, hinting that Vanessa tried to harm herself. Matilda and Dean are devastated!