Beth hits the roof when she discovers Matilda and Ric spent the night together. Lucas and Belle officially become a couple. Lee returns to the Bay in a desperate situation.
Extended Summary
Ric is stunned by Matilda’s announcement and wants to know what lead her to believe he wants to sleep with her now. Matilda explains she found the condoms and figured it’s what she would have to do to keep him. Ric is stunned and insists the night was purely just so they could spend time together. Matilda’s embarrassment resolves when Ric reassures her he wants to wait for the right time. Their feelings are affirmed, as they snuggle up for a cosy night together.
It’s the next morning and Ric and Matilda couldn’t be happier. Realising what time it is, Matilda scrambles to get her things and with one last loving kiss, she races from the boat. Unseen by them both, Colleen is tottling past and curiously notes Matilda and Ric – uh oh – so much for keeping it a secret! Matilda races home to find Lucas down in dumps following his break-up with Belle. Matilda feels immediately guilty and spills the beans on why Belle may have reacted the way she did. Lucas manages to track down Belle and tries to explain the misunderstanding. Lucas insists he would never use her and is offended she would ever think he would. Belle opens up and admits she’s scared of getting hurt after what happened with Drew. Lucas promises he’d never do that and asks if she will be his girlfriend. Belle smiles and leans in for a kiss – the happy couple together again!
Meanwhile, Colleen is giving Rachel and Kim some wedding advice at the Diner when Beth arrives. Colleen let’s slip she saw young Matilda and Ric leaving the boat this morning. Beth instantly sees red and heads home to confront Matilda. Matilda tries to explain nothing happened but Beth is disappointed she lied and is convinced Matilda never would have done this if she wasn’t under Ric’s influence. Matilda storms off defiant, insisting that nothing will stop her from seeing Ric!
Cassie returns home to find Macca in a pensive mood. He reveals he’s had an offer for a job driving trucks and Cassie is instantly alarmed given what happened last time. Both acknowledge the fact he took drugs to stay awake, which led to him losing his temper and hitting her. Macca reassures her he would never make that mistake again. Cassie takes his word for it and insists he should take the job. She thinks the fact he’s talked to her about it proves how far they’ve come in their relationship.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Belle are happily back on track. This is a whole new beginning, without all the drama. They share a kiss, before Lucas heads home. As he steps up on the porch, he’s pulled up short by the sight of Lee, heavily pregnant sitting before him. Lucas is stunned as Lee pleas for his help.